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Article from the "Native News" -- September 2005
"Exploring opportunities in trades---that was the intent of Summer Camp 2005. Sixteen students from 4 Nunavut communities ( Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk and Taloyoak) came together for one week for a hands-on learning experience to gain exposure to the carpentry and welding professions. But they learned so much more..... here's what the students had to say:
"I can get things done that I wasn't able to do before I came for this course. It also prepared me for the long road to success and the distractions during that long walk to success."
"This course provided us with a lot of good experiences like learning to work in a shop safely, working with other people, listening to an instructor, being on time, and learning everyday. The hands on work was a good experience that gives you another option in your future line of work."
Youth in the north have had little exposure to the job possibilities in the skilled trade and technical fields. Miramar Mining Corporation, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, and the Government of Nunavut partnered with the Kimberlite Career & Technical Centre in Yellowknife to give Kitikmeot youth just that exposure. Heather Duggan, Vice President Human Resources for Miramar Mining Corporation stated, "The intent of the camp was to give students an opportunity to 'test-drive' a trade so that the young people will feel inspired to stay in school and pursue the many possibilities that will be available to them. We also hope the youth would tell their peers about the exciting opportunities in the trades." Some of the youth who attended the Summer Camp had never had the opportunity to travel and be exposed to different things; from eating in restaurants, seeing trees, and having a variety of stores to shop at. Exposure like this will only help them if they choose to leave their communities to further their education.
There is a national and international shortage of trades people. The Canadian Metals and Minerals Industry recently released the results of their mining survey -- and those results are alarming. With a significant portion of workers aged 50 and over and a much lower proportion of employees younger than 30, they are predicting a shortage of 81,000 workers in the mining industry in the next decade. This will only create more opportunity for young people. But it creates a big gap for the industry to find workers.
"As the carpentry instructor," Kevin Stroeder said, "I must say that this class was one of the most dedicated classes that I have had. The students were a little apprehensive the first day, not knowing what to expect. By the end of the week they were coming early to get more information or work on another project. Some of these students had not done any carpentry work before and to see the excitement on their faces and the twinkle in their eyes when the chair folded up the way it was supposed to was very gratifying." Doug Wourms, welding instructor added, "The students that took the welding course were polite, very respectful and interested in learning about the processes of welding. I think the students went home proud of what they had accomplished over the week and they should be, they worked very hard."
Sixteen Nunavut students gave up part of their summer holidays to attend the Camp and they loved the experience. Before the Camp ended they were already asking when they could come again, either for more training in the trade they experienced, or to try a new one! The future of the Nunavut workforce is very bright if these students are any indication of that potential!"
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