The territorial government has revealed the future NWT polytechnic universitySA国际影视传媒檚 areas of specialization: skilled trades and technology, earth resources and environmental management, Northern health, education and community services, and business and leadership. 

Those details were contained in an implementation plan that the GWNT released Thursday to guide Aurora CollegeSA国际影视传媒檚 transformation into a polytechnic university over the next six years. The 20-page document outlines how and when each stage of the transformation will take place in a three-phase process starting with the current phase of SA国际影视传媒渟trengthening the foundation and planning for change,SA国际影视传媒� and ending with the polytechnicSA国际影视传媒檚 universitySA国际影视传媒檚 launch in 2026. 

Chris Joseph, director of the Aurora College transformation, told reporters Thursday that identifying the universitySA国际影视传媒檚 areas of specialization is SA国际影视传媒渁t the core of an institutionSA国际影视传媒檚 identity.SA国际影视传媒� 

He said the areas of specialization provide a SA国际影视传媒渃lear level of certainty and planningSA国际影视传媒� for prospective students and faculty. Aurora College, according to Joseph, was SA国际影视传媒渢rying to be everything to everybody."

The areas themselves are not programs but narrow the institutionSA国际影视传媒檚 focus in order to create programs that address labor market demand in the territory. 

The universitySA国际影视传媒檚 stated goals are in helping to build an increasingly skilled labour force and providing opportunities for Northerners to find work in the North. 

SA国际影视传媒淔irst and foremost, the establishment of a polytechnic university is about increasing access for all Northerners to quality post-secondary education opportunities. It's about ensuring Northerners are first in line for Northern jobs,SA国际影视传媒� Joseph said, adding that the identified areas of specialization respond to NWT social and economic development priorities. 

One recurring theme of the implementation plan is the idea of creating SA国际影视传媒渃ulturally meaningfulSA国际影视传媒� programming. 

While Joseph said it's not for him to directly answer what culturally meaningful programs and services will look like, the institutionSA国际影视传媒檚 transformation is focused in collaborative relationships. Those collaborations include Indigenous governments with whom they aim to SA国际影视传媒渆ngage and discuss on an ongoing basis.SA国际影视传媒�

Next on the implementation plan timeline is releasing a three-year academic plan next summer. The academic plan will eventually be shaped around the areas of specialization but is likely to be based on Aurora CollegeSA国际影视传媒檚 existing programming, at least initially. 

In announcing the release of the implementation plan and the universitySA国际影视传媒檚 website launch Thursday, Joseph stressed the importance of clear communication throughout the transition process. Building a framework of what the public can expect and at which points, he said, ensures accountability and transparency.

He acknowledged that partners are SA国际影视传媒渒een to see progress in announcing specifics of new programs and new buildings,SA国际影视传媒� but that the process is focused on SA国际影视传媒渨hat is needed to be successful in the long-term.SA国际影视传媒�

Joseph emphasized the importance of setting attainable long-term goals, and recognizing that there SA国际影视传媒渁re always a limited pool of resources that needs to be used wisely.SA国际影视传媒� 

He added that SA国际影视传媒渢o realize lasting and meaningful improvementsSA国际影视传媒� requires transforming the SA国际影视传媒渟trategy, processes and culture at Aurora College.SA国际影视传媒�