The 2001 Census indicates that 47 percent of people in Dawson aged 20 years or older have taken some non-university education or training after leaving school. About 21 percent said they had taken some university-level education. Over half of the latter group, or 13 percent of the population over 20 years of age, had completed at least a bachelor-level degree. About 25 percent of the 20-plus population said their highest level of education was some secondary school; 6 percent reported completion of Grade 9 or less.
The Dawson City Campus of Yukon College, Tr'odek Hatr'unohtan Zho (Klondike School House), works closely with the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) to offer a variety of college and employment preparation courses. In response to the community's requests and the labour market, the college has recently offered courses in carpentry, plumbing, office administration, accounting, computer studies, early childhood development, fisheries field technician, small engine repair, English and math as well as a variety of shorter courses. In addition, college and university courses are offered via videoconference, teleconference and online.
Dawson is known for its fine-arts and cultural industries programs. KIAC and Yukon College have worked together for five years to offer a seven-month program called Arts for Employment that introduces students to various art-related disciplines. KIAC also offers continuing education art courses and workshops. KIAC is developing a transferable First Year Art Foundation Program, slated to begin in September 2005.
New initiatives are emerging between the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, Yukon College, Robert Service School and KIAC. The First Nation is interested in working as partners with the Yukon government to create a new model for education and life-long learning.
