The Aurora College Research Institute has been awarded over $44,000 to help address the gaps in COVID-19 information, protocols, and training for both residents and small businesses in the NWT.
“Our main goal is to help manufacturers and small businesses understand the labeling, safety, and legality of all medical and non-medical PPE licenses,” says Matthew Dares, manager of technology development/research division for Aurora College.
Dares says the money will be used to produce pamphlets and brochures in response to COVID-19 standards for production and packaging for PPE.
The new materials will provide a step-by-step guide on how to safely and appropriately manufacture PPE in the territory. They will focus on targeting the cottage industry (individuals producing and selling out of their home), to produce safe, affordable and accessible products.
The project is called Developing a roadmap to support northern industry response to COVID-19 manufacturing needs.
A portion of the grant, $25,000, was given to the college from the territorial government, intended to provide information on manufacturing PPE and Medical Device Establishment Licences.
“The real value comes with understanding how much we can do in the territory, that is the most important part,” says Dares.
Aurora College Research Institute says it is still in the early stages of putting its research together with the help of external experts and brochures should be made available in August.
