Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 26/00) - Two spinoff diamond industries in Yellowknife and in the Rae-Edzo region are expected to create employment and training for new diamond cutting and polishing factories.

"This will create even more new jobs than the ones we are already advertising for," said Chahe Arslanian in a statement. Arslanian is the president of Arslanian Cutting Works (NWT) Ltd.

The diamond polishing company is expected to open shop in July, in a building near the Yellowknife airport. It will employ 19 workers.

The other factory is expected to open in Rae-Edzo in a few years.

"Anything that creates employment is welcomed, (when it's) under our control," said John Ivey, Dogrib Band manager.

Preparations are under way to recruit two Rae area band members for approximately two years of overseas training for key management positions. The training will take place at the Arslanian Cutting Works' international headquarters in Armenia to learn all aspects of the diamond polishing industry.

Other employees will be mentored under a Special Learning Contract and include brief courses at Aurora College, the International Gemological Institute or with Hoge Raadvoor Diamant in Antwerp, Belgium.

"It is a ongoing internship," said Hilary Jones, director of operations for Arslanian Cutting Works (NWT) Ltd.

Once the two recruits complete their training overseas, they will begin work in the Yellowknife factory. The remainder of the employees will be trained at the site.

An opening date for the Rae factory has not yet been set.

The band is now trying to get government funding for the courses.