Aurora College is closing all of its 19 Community Learning Centres located mostly in smaller communities across the NWT as of June 30.
The College’s Board of Governors cited low enrolment and completion rates, for the “prohibitively expensive, outdated, and ineffective,” Community Learning Centre program, which started 25 years ago.
Thirty-one indeterminate and term employees may be impacted, stated a college release on Thursday afternoon.
Aurora College president Glenda Vardy Dell, left, board chair Joe Handley, and incoming president Angela James at the NWT Legislative Building before committee on Thursday. (Image courtesy Assembly Livestream.)
There are also several casual positions that will not be renewed and vacant positions that will not be filled.
Former NWT premier Joe Handley is board chair and linked the closures to the college’s ongoing transformation to a polytechnic university.
“It is the responsibility of the board of governors to ensure that Aurora College continues to be efficient, effective, and sustainable, especially as the College transforms to a polytechnic university,” Handley stated.
“The ongoing low enrolments and completion rates at the Community Learning Centres are evidence that the current way of delivering academic upgrading is no longer working, so changes must be made to ensure the College continues to meet the current and future needs of learners, communities, and the Northern labour market.”
Many of the Learning Centres teach Adult Literacy and Basic Education courses and are located in Indigenous communities such as Aklavik, Behchokǫ, Délıne, Fort Good Hope, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Łutselk’e and the NWT’s northernmost community, Ulukhaktok.
Many NWT learners begin their educational journey at a Community Learning Centre, on the way to achieving their career, educational and personal goals.
— from the college’s website
Aurora College stated it will continue to offer academic upgrading options in person at its three campuses, as well as through online deliveries.
Upgrading offered by Aurora College will focus on academic pre-requisites for the College’s post-secondary and trades programming.
Aurora College stated it will work with impacted students and others to help them consider their options for academic upgrading.
— with CKLB files.
Aurora College Learning Centres across the NWT. (Imaged map courtesy of Google)
