COLLEGE OVERVIEW

NORTH WEST COLLEGE – OVERVIEW

One-third of Saskatchewan’s First Nations communities sit within the boundaries of NWC, with 28% of the approximate 98,000 residents in the region declaring Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) descent versus the 16% across the province. Also, according to the 2016 Census of Canada, Indigenous youth, aged 14 and under, represent 33.7% of the total Indigenous population, while nonIndigenous children aged 14 and under, accounted for 16.7% of the nonIndigenous population. The NWC catchment area is younger, and our Indigenous population is growing faster than the provincial average. Coupled with the unique demographics in our region are the lower than average education attainment rates of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous population, necessitating a robust adult learning infrastructure to support learners in their conversion to the workforce.

In order to be relevant and accessible to our wide-ranging communities, NWC has committed to a distributed model of program delivery. The College serves northwest Saskatchewan with two main campuses - one in the Battlefords and the other in Meadow Lake. In addition, each year the College delivers programs in approximately 15 rural communities. Although we primarily deliver ABE programs in communities outside urban areas, about 35% of Skills Training seats are delivered off campus.

NWC is one of the largest regional colleges in Saskatchewan serving approximately 2600 distinct students or 885 FLE students and representing 21% of the system (2018/19). It is also one of the province’s major providers of ABE, representing over 25% of regional college enrollments in 2018/19. NWC delivers brokered curriculum while providing personalized support critical to student success. In addition to Institute Credit programs, NWC has traditionally chosen to invest in University programming to meet the demand of our students and industry in our region. Whether it is ABE, Institute Credit or University programming, Indigenous students represent the majority of this student body with 59% selfidentifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

NWC is also experiencing steady demand in English as an Additional Language (EAL) programming in light of increased immigration to the NWC region. With this diverse and often vulnerable population, our Student Services provide the valueadded and individualized guidance needed to remove barriers to student success and addresses labour market needs. A comprehensive intake process, regular

meetings with Student Services staff, career counselling and job coach services ensure that students feel valued through their education experience and supported as they successfully enter into the labour market.

As seen in Figure 1, major industries in the region include health care, education, social services, forestry, retail trade, agriculture and oil. Few resource-sector companies have corporate offices within the region. As such, extra resource allocation is required for partnership development and to identify and assess labour market needs. NWC interacts with numerous small to medium-sized businesses within the region, and it reaches out to corporate headquarters elsewhere in the province or across Canada.

Figure 1. Map of North West College Region

95,000 residents in 2 cities, 48 towns and villages, 29 RMs and 26 First Nations1 28% Indigenous descent2 Home of 1/3 of Saskatchewan’s First Nations Communities3

48% under age of 354

Major industries: health care, education, social services, forestry, retail trade, agriculture, oil

1 2016 Census of Canada, Province of Saskatchewan Division 16, Division 16, Town of Battleford, Sweetgrass FN and Mosquito FN. Also referenced in analysis Community Profiles for First Nations Communities, INAC (August 30, 2017) 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid.