Mr. Speaker, this week we are celebrating Aurora College Week. Our northern college provides many opportunities for NWT adults to develop new skills and engage in lifelong learning.

Twenty or thirty years ago, people could graduate from high school, take a few years of training and be set for life. Those days, Mr. Speaker, are gone.

Technology is always changing, knowledge is expanding and skill demands are continually evolving. What was considered an adequate level of skill 10 years ago might not be adequate today. Ten years from now, we expect that NWT adults will need additional skills to those required today.

In the 21st century, adults from all walks of life must

be lifelong learners to keep up with the pace of change. Lifelong learning happens in the classroom, the workplace, the community and at home. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment encourages NWT residents of all ages to keep learning and developing new skills. The global and national economic recession is a concern for all of us. Every night on the news there are stories of Canadians losing their jobs and falling on hard times. However, even in this economic recession, some employers are having a hard time recruiting employees with the skills needed to do specific jobs. The jobs that are the most resilient to economic ups and downs are high-skill and knowledge-intensive jobs. One of the best things Northerners can do to protect themselves from economic hardship is to continuously upgrade their skills.

Aurora College offers a wide variety of programs, ranging from academic upgrading to degree programs. Aurora College also offers many evening continuing education courses, so NWT residents can upgrade their skills without taking time off work.

I encourage NWT adults to explore the many opportunities Aurora College provides for them. I encourage all NWT residents to become lifelong learners. During Aurora College Week and every week, learning is for life.