Tuition Free Training Opportunities
Funded training programs in Health, Mining, Hospitality,
Trades and Apprenticeship are now available for registration.
Discover our Free Training Opportunities
Northern College has partnered with Keepers of the Circle & Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord to offer these funded training opportunities. Learn more about the Project Partners that have made it possible for us to offer these tuition free training programs.
Programs include training for careers in these in-demand sectors:
– Healthcare
– Mining
– Trades
– Workforce Skills
– Hospitality
Please note that program start dates are subject to change.
Pre-Requisite Courses
Program Partner: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord and
Keepers of the Circle
Location: Delivered Virtually
Cost: Free
This pre-education and pre-employment program is designed to prepare students for workplace and education expectations increasing student success, employment, and workforce retention rates. The program is a prerequisite to any student entering any other training program as a new job seeker.
OR
Program Partner: Keepers of the Circle
Location: Delivered Virtually
Cost: Free
Keepers of the Circle designed and delivers an evidence-based, culturally-rooted pre-employment literacy and essential skills training programs that links participants directly to jobs through industry and corporate partnerships.
Location: Delivered Virtually
Cost: Free
This Health Care Support Service worker program includes provincially mandated training combined with pandemic safety training, person centered care, documentation and reporting.
Location: Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Haileybury, Moosonee and James Bay Coast
Cost: Free
The Personal Support Worker (PSW) Program is a two semester program developed as part of the Ontario provincial government’s plan to reform long term care.
Location: Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Haileybury, and Moosonee Campuses
Cost: Free
The PSW Assistant program is a stepping stone to the Personal Support Worker program and allows for rapid entry into the workforce.
Healthcare Food Service Worker
Location: Delivered Virtually
Cost: Free
This program provides a critical knowledge foundation for Food Service Workers in a Long Term Care or Hospital setting. It is also a pathway to employment in the food industry through providing valuable training on food safety, preparation, and nutrition.
Program Partner: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: Northwestern Ontario
Cost: Free
The Mining Essentials Program, developed and certified by the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR), has been designed to increase the involvement and engagement of Indigenous peoples in the mining and exploration sector.
Program Partners: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: Northwestern Ontario
Cost: Free
This modular program covers the basic knowledge and skills required to work competently as a helper to a Surface and/or Underground Diamond Drill Operator. The program aims to prepare students to directly enter the field.
Program Partner: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: Northwestern Ontario
Cost: Free
The program is delivered in partnership with the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord for those in Northwestern Ontario and covers the knowledge and skills required to work competently as an Underground Hard Rock Miner.
*Program is now full and not currently accepting new participants*
Location: Timmins
Cost: Free
The Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (HDET) pre-apprenticeship program is designed to provide learners with an exposure to the HDET Trade.
*Program is now full and not currently accepting new participants*
Location: Timmins & Kirkland Lake
Cost: Free
The welding pre-apprenticeship program is designed to provide learners with an in-depth exposure to the Welding trade.
Program Partner: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: Northwestern Ontario
Cost: Free
Mobile Trades Training is designed to provide students with exposure to skilled trades. With intent of offering Welding, Carpentry/Construction and a Multi-Trade projects, these programs are customizable to meet community needs.
Program Partner: Keepers of the Circle
Location: Northeastern Ontario
Cost: Free
Mobile Trades Training is designed to provide students with exposure to skilled trades. With intent of offering Welding, Carpentry/Construction and a Multi-Trade projects, these programs are customizable to meet community needs.
AZ Truck Driver Training
*Program is now full and not currently accepting new participants*
Program Partner: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: Northwestern Ontario
Cost: Free
This program provides participants with the training and skills necessary to get their AZ License. Graduates of this program will be confident in their ability to achieve long term success and be work ready for any truck driving opportunity.
Career Excellence for Today’s Workforce
*Program is now full and not currently accepting new participants*
Program Partners: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: Northwestern Ontario
Cost: Free
This four-day program will include workshops designed specifically for the hospitality and tourism sector.
Essential Skills for Today’s Workforce
Program Partners: Keepers of the Circle
Location: Northeastern Ontario
Cost: Free
This program allows you to design your own professional skills path. Choose 6 out of the 8 courses to receive your certificate.
Program Partner: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: Delivered Virtually
Cost: Free
The Service Support Worker Program combines soft skills and workplace related training. This program seeks to address the staffing and training needs for mining camp support service workers within Ontario.
Program Partner: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: Delivered Virtually
Cost: Free
This program provides valuable training on food safety, nutrition, preparation, and service. Students will have a solid foundation of knowledge to work in a variety of food-related roles.
Program Partner: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord
Location: 80 hours of Kitchen Processes will take place in a classroom/kitchen. 80 hour work placement will take place at a mine camp.
Cost: Free
This Culinary, Service and Support Worker Program combines soft skills and workplace related training.
About the Project Partners
Keepers of the Circle: The organization was founded in 1994 tasked with the mandate to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Indigenous women in Canada. Keepers of the Circle deliver evidence-based, culturally rooted pre-employment training programs that link participants directly to jobs through industry and corporate partnerships. The training is individualized and gender-specific to men and women and offers wrap-around supports. Keepers of the Circle is working with Northern College to support mobile trades training programs and the delivery of hospitality/ tourism training in various remote community locations.
Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord: Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord, founded in 2017, consists of Lac Seul, Cat Lake, and Slate Falls First Nations, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, as well as the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. The communities come together to work collaboratively to focus on key pillars including resource development, emergency preparedness, waste management, education and youth, social, housing, health and community, tourism, commerce, sports and special events. Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord has partnered with Northern College to provide mobile trades training programs including, construction, welding and multi-trades. The partnership also supports workforce development in the mining sector including an array of training including the Underground Hardrock Miner Common Core Program, Diamond Driller Assistant Common Core Program, Future-Focused: Work & Job Readiness, Mining Essentials, Surface Miner Program, Hospitality training, Culinary Service and Support Worker Program, Support Service Worker, as well as a Food Service Worker program.