Nunavut Arctic College

What Nunavut Arctic College does

Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) is the sole public post-secondary educational institution serving Nunavut, Canada, established in 1995 and operated by the Government of Nunavut. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities that empower Nunavummiut while honoring Inuit language and culture, with programs built on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles. NAC delivers a portfolio of credential programs — including the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP), Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Social Work (delivered in partnership with Memorial University at Kitikmeot Campus), Social Service Worker Diploma, Environmental Technology Program, the Underground Mining Certificate Program (developed with Agnico-Eagle Mines and Kivalliq Inuit Association), the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School, trades apprenticeships via the Sanatuliqsarvik Trades Training Centre, and adult basic education through the Northern Adult Basic Education Program.

The college operates 5 main campuses — Nunatta (Iqaluit), Kivalliq (Rankin Inlet, with the Sanatuliqsarvik Trades Training Centre), Kitikmeot (Cambridge Bay, opened December 2020), plus additional facilities — and a network of Community Learning Centers in all 25 Nunavut communities, including the most northern CLC in Grise Fiord. Supporting infrastructure includes a Brightspace learning management system, Microsoft 365 and SharePoint, video conferencing, state-of-the-art mobile heavy equipment operator (HEO) simulators, a 5DT 180-degree mining simulator, and a CANARIE National Research and Education Network connection completed in August 2020.

Revenue is funded primarily through Government of Nunavut appropriations alongside federal CanNor grants and modest industry donations (e.g., Baffinland $25,000 to the ETP Learner Fund in 2018), supplemented by tuition fees that are published in term-fee schedules. The go-to-market model is community-led: NAC brings programs directly to learners across Nunavut's 25 communities, complemented by distance-learning partnerships with Memorial University and the University of Saskatchewan that enable bachelor-level degrees to be delivered in-territory. Primary customers are Nunavut Inuit learners, with secondary segments comprising university-bound students seeking degree credentials and industry-aligned trainees in trades, mining, and construction.

Name

Nunavut Arctic College

Legal name

Nunavut Arctic College

Website

https://arcticcollege.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nunavut Arctic College is the sole public post-secondary institution serving Nunavut, Canada, delivering degrees, diplomas, trades, and cultural programs across 5 campuses and 25 community learning centers to predominantly Inuit learners through Government of Nunavut funding and university partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Post-Secondary Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (61121), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Tribal Community Colleges (2-Year) (EDAHADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Post-secondary education
• Trades training
• Inuit cultural education
• Community learning centers
• Degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rankin Inlet

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a public post-secondary institution, NAC receives operational funding from the Government of Nunavut and federal government agencies including CanNor for specific programs
2. Tuition Fees: Students pay tuition fees for various programs; the college publishes tuition fee schedules

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Nunavut Arctic College is the territory's only public post-secondary institution, delivering degree programs (Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Social Work, Nunavut Teacher Education Program, Nunavut Law Program), diploma programs (Social Service Worker, Environmental Technology), trades apprenticeship and skilled-trades training (e.g., Underground Mining Certificate), adult basic education, and Inuit cultural/linguistic programming through five campuses and 25 Community Learning Centers across all Nunavut communities. Program design is grounded in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles and delivered in partnership with Memorial University of Newfoundland and other institutions.

Product overview

Nunavut Arctic College is a post-secondary educational institution operating as a single unified college with multiple campus facilities and community learning centres. The institution offers a portfolio of credential programs including the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP), Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Social Work (delivered in partnership with Memorial University), Social Service Worker Diploma, and Environmental Technology Program. The college operates specialized facilities including the Sanatuliqsarvik Trades Training Centre in Rankin Inlet, Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School for Inuit traditions, and the Nunavut Research Institute. With five main campuses and 25 community learning centres, the college provides educational access across all Nunavut communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP) Four-year teacher education program preparing Inuit educators for Nunavut schools, with strong integration of Inuit language, culture, and IQ principles.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Four-year nursing degree with Arctic specialization, preparing graduates to practise as nurses in Nunavut healthcare facilities.
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) - Nunavut Cohort Bachelor of Social Work degree delivered in partnership with Memorial University at Kitikmeot Campus, grounded in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles and aimed at building Nunavut's social-work capacity.
• Social Service Worker Program Two-year diploma program preparing students for social service work in Nunavut communities, with emphasis on social justice and mental health support.
• Environmental Technology Program (ETP) Two-year environmental science diploma with hands-on field training, including participation in the longest-running berry productivity dataset in Canada.
• Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School NAC's cultural school dedicated to Inuit traditions, language preservation, and cultural knowledge transfer.
• Sanatuliqsarvik Trades Training Centre Trades training facility in Rankin Inlet offering apprenticeship programs and skilled-trades-worker certification pathways, including housing-construction training pilots.
• Community Learning Centres Network of 25 community-based learning centres across all Nunavut communities providing adult basic education, lifelong learning, and locally delivered programming (including Grise Fiord, Canada's most northern post-secondary facility).
• Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) NAC's wholly owned research institute supporting northern research initiatives and partnerships, including connectivity to the CANARIE NREN network.
• Nunavut Law Program Joint law-degree program delivered in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan, enabling Nunavut students to pursue law credentials; 2020 Arctic Inspiration Prize finalist with $140,000 awarded.
• Underground Mining Certificate Program 14-week made-in-Nunavut underground mining certificate developed with Agnico-Eagle Mines, Kivalliq Inuit Association, and Centre De Formation Professionelle College (Val d'Or); 100% of 2018 graduates received job offers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of adult basic education students were Inuit (2011-2017)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Pewapun ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2024Partnership agreement with NHC, NAC, and Pewapun Construction to increase trades training and build affordable student housing in Rankin Inlet.
• Nunavut Housing Corporation (NHC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2023Partnership under Igluliuqatigiingniq Nunavut 3000 Strategic Plan to increase skilled tradespeople throughout Nunavut. NAC students built a three-bedroom public housing unit as a capacity-building pilot project. Approximately 40 students were involved from start to finish.
• Sakku Investments CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2023Partnered with NAC to supply construction equipment that facilitated the housing build project under Nunavut 3000. Sakku Innovative Building Solutions provided work site training as part of this project.
• Government of Nunavut - Department of Family Services, Career Development divisioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2023Funding partner for Nunavut Skilled Trades Arctic Construction Program under the Nunavut 3000 MOU. The program allowed 13 Skilled Trades Worker students to build tangible on-the-job work experience hours towards Level 1 of the Skilled Trades Worker Program.
• University of SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Partnership to deliver the Nunavut Law Program - a joint program enabling Nunavut students to pursue law degrees. Program received $140,000 Arctic Inspiration Prize in 2020.
• Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2021Partnership to deliver the first education and training programs at the new Research Training Centre in Pond Inlet. QIA announced first programs in June 2026.
• CANARIEcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 August 2020Nunavut Arctic College joined Canada's National Research and Education Network (NREN) by connecting to the CANARIE network on August 28, 2020. This completes the NREN serving all Canadians coast to coast to coast. Over the next two years, NAC will work with CANARIE and the Government of Nunavut to implement the network across Nunavut.
• Memorial University of NewfoundlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 201910-year strategic partnership signed June 4, 2019 between Nunavut Arctic College and Memorial University to build administrative capacity, promote northern research opportunities, and expand post-secondary programs through joint credentials. Partnership aims to increase Inuit employment and deliver degree programs in Nunavut including Bachelor of Social Work, Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP), and other university programs.
• Agnico-Eagle MinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2018Industry partner in the Underground Mining Certificate Program. All eight graduates of the 14-week program received job offers from Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd and Sarliaq Holdings Ltd.
• Kivalliq Inuit AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2018Partner in developing the made-in-Nunavut Underground Mining Certificate Program along with Agnico-Eagle Mines, Centre De Formation Professionelle College in Val d'Or Quebec, and Nunavut Arctic College.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• College of the North Atlantic: A multi-campus public college serving Newfoundland and Labrador with a comparable mix of trades, diploma, and degree programs and a regional mandate. NAC has even hired from CNA-Qatar (Derrick Hann), indicating professional familiarity and program-design parallels.
• First Nations University of Canada: A Saskatchewan-based Indigenous-focused post-secondary institution offering certificate, diploma, and degree programs rooted in Indigenous languages and cultures. Highly comparable to NAC's IQ-anchored, Inuit-serving mission and curriculum model.
• Northern Lakes College: An Alberta-based public college delivering career-focused certificate and diploma programs across a large, sparsely populated northern region through distributed campuses and community learning sites — a direct operational analog to NAC's hub-and-spoke CLC model.
• Aurora College: The public post-secondary institution serving the Northwest Territories, with multiple campuses across a similarly remote, sparsely populated northern jurisdiction. Operates certificate, diploma, and degree programs in partnership with southern universities, directly comparable in mandate, scale, and delivery challenges to NAC.
• Nicola Valley Institute of Technology: A Indigenous-controlled post-secondary institution in British Columbia delivering trades, health, and community-based programs to First Nations learners. Comparable in mission and community-led delivery model to NAC's CLC and cultural programs.
• Yukon University: Yukon's only public university, formed from the former Yukon College. Comparable to NAC as a small, territory-wide northern Canadian post-secondary institution serving a predominantly Indigenous population with multi-campus and community-based delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Memorial University of Newfoundland: NAC's primary university partner under a 10-year strategic partnership; also a broader incumbent with extensive northern research and Inuit-affiliated programming (e.g., Labrador Institute) that parallels NAC's mission.
• University of Saskatchewan: NAC's partner in delivering the Nunavut Law Program (which won a 2020 Arctic Inspiration Prize). Comparable as a larger prairie institution that co-delivers programs in underserved northern communities.
• University of Northern British Columbia: A regional university serving northern and rural British Columbia with a mandate to expand degree access in underserved regions. A broader incumbent to NAC in mission (rural/northern degree access) though operating at a much larger scale.
• College of New Caledonia: A British Columbia regional college serving northern and central regions through multiple campuses with a comparable trades, health, and university-transfer mix — a broader-incumbent analog to NAC's multi-campus community college role.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NUArcticCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/NunavutArcticCollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nunavut-arctic-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nunavut Arctic College