"It's been tough at times, but that's all part of the business I guess," said Brazeau, dressed in his grease-stained coveralls, leaning back in his chair.

In 1978, Brazeau moved from Timmins, Ont., to Yellowknife, looking for work.

He 1982 he began working at Giant Mine and

ran a plumbing repair shop on the side. After five years, Brazeau found working a 12-hour shift at the mine, and running the business too hectic.

His choice: plumbing.

Today, Brazeau has eight trucks on the road, a shop in Kam Lake and eight employees, including two of his sons, Victor and Marcel.

Brazeau didn't study to be a repairman. But over the years, he acquired a housing maintainer's ticket.

He relies heavily on his sons to keep his business alive. Both have studied to get their tickets.

Marcel Brazeau is in his third year at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and is at the top of his class.

Victor Brazeau had four years completed in a computer studies course at college but dropped out to pursue a career in plumbing.

Jack, the eldest son, is living in B.C., where he is a maintenance worker at a hospital.

"They have an advantage over me. They have more schooling than I do."

Brazeau, drawing on his success as a repairman, encouraged others to pursue careers in the trades industry and has a bit of advice for students.

"If you want to do a trade you have to get into it and stick to it," said Brazeau. "Go to school."

"It's not one of the cleanest jobs. It's got to be in the person to do this job."