The postsecondary education system in Nunavut is described in CICIC's Postsecondary Education Systems in Canada, Provinces and Territories. The system can be divided into two categories of postsecondary program delivery:
Quality assurance mechanisms in the Nunavut postsecondary education system vary by type of program. They include
- legislation (statutes and regulations)
- credit transfer and articulation
- external and internal review
- professional accreditation
- other organizations related to quality assurance
Colleges
Legislation
The Public Colleges Act establishes the only community college in Nunavut. Nunavut Arctic College is responsible for delivering adult and postsecondary programs, including the delivery of university-level programs through agreement with particular universities and the granting of certificates and diplomas. Under the act, the minister of education is responsible for postsecondary education, including establishing programs and courses, and determining college operational policies.
The Public Colleges Act establishes a board of governors of Nunavut Arctic College, which is accountable to the minister and responsible for recommending to the minister priorities for programs and courses, establishing college admission requirements, and making bylaws with respect to academic standards. The board of governors must submit an annual report to the minister. The minister must table the board's report with the Legislature.
Under the Public Colleges Act, the minister may appoint a person to investigate any matter connected with the management, administration, or operation of the college. The minister may also appoint an administrator of the college if it is in the public interest to do so.
Credit Transfer and Articulation
Nunavut Arctic College has articulation agreements in a number of programs with several universities whereby the first two years of college programs can be taken and accredited by the universities. The quality of these joint programs is protected through the articulation agreements and the program review process at each institution.
External and Internal Review
College programs undergo evaluation. The framework for review follows standard evaluation practices common in the Canadian college environment and includes consultation with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure credibility and usefulness. There are no external review organizations to which the college is formally accountable for program quality; however, the president is required to report to the minister for approval of new programs and significant changes to existing programs.
Professional Accreditation
Many of Canada's regulated professions have associations that conduct accreditation reviews of college programs pertaining to their professions. In these instances, accreditation teams from the professions review reports provided by the colleges and may conduct on-site visits in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the professions.
Apprenticeship
Legislation
Apprenticeship training in the Nunavut comprises a combination of workplace training and educational class instruction. The Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Act [PDF] establishes the Nunavut government as the public authority responsible for apprenticeship. The act establishes an Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Board. The board's main function is to advise the minister of education on matters relating to training and the certification of people in designated trades and occupations. In advising the minister, the board draws upon the expertise of local apprenticeship advisory committees appointed by the department's supervisor of apprenticeship, trade and occupations certification.
The act also provides the government with extensive authority to regulate apprenticeship. The regulations [PDF] under the act address qualifications for apprenticeship, provide and establish standards for examinations, and provide for inspection of training. The regulations also provide the department's supervisor of apprenticeship, trade and occupations certification with the authority to establish the contents of and standards for the in-school portion of apprenticeship training, known as the trade instruction courses and examinations. The supervisor must approve the location of trade instruction courses, the major pieces of equipment used in the instruction, the instructional materials, and the curriculum. The regulation also directly addresses instructor qualifications.
External and Internal Review
Nunavut Arctic College, Aurora College in the Northwest Territories, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) deliver most of the in-school educational class instruction in apprenticeship programs. The Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Board sets the curriculum and provides it to the institutions. Quality of programming is monitored through mechanisms such as graduate surveys.
An Interprovincial Standards "Red Seal" Program promotes and facilitates the standardization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training, as well as the regular updating of national trades standards in order to reflect the ongoing technological changes taking place in all trades. The Canadian provinces and territories developed the Red Seal program in cooperation with the federal government (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada) to standardize trade skill requirements and provide greater employment mobility throughout Canada. A Certificate of Trades Qualifications bearing the Red Seal provides training recognition in most jurisdictions throughout Canada. For employers in other jurisdictions, the Red Seal is an assurance of quality training and certification to nationally recognized standards.
Other Organizations Related to Quality Assurance in Colleges and Apprenticeship
Nunavut Arctic College is a member the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). ACCC does not perform quality assurance functions with respect to its members, but it does promote quality programming and the use of high academic standards by conducting research and facilitating broad discussion on quality assurance issues.
The Association of Accrediting Agencies of Canada (AAAC) is a national organization composed of professional associations involved in promoting good practices in accreditation of educational programs. Information on the activities of these professions with colleges and universities can be accessed through the AAAC Web site.
Private Training
There are no private training organizations in Nunavut.
Relevant Legislation
Territorial legislation and regulations can be directly accessed on the Internet.
Additional Sources of Information
- Department of Education
- P.O. Box 1000
Stn 980
Iqaluit, Nunavut
X0A 0H0 Canada
Phone: (867) 975-5600
Fax: (867) 975-5635
Web site: http://www.gov.nu.ca/education/index.htm
List of recognized postsecondary institutions in Nunavut
Revision: June 5, 2008