Government, industry keen on developing Northern workforce
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Mar 12/01) - The North is booming.
In the Northwest Territories, oil and gas, diamond mining and mineral exploration is driving the economy to new heights.
Nunavut is a territory under construction as the government builds and mining companies look for new wealth.
Governments and industry have recognized the need to have Northerners do the work.
In its Non-Renewable Resources Strategy, the NWT government says lack of education and training is a major problem.
"Unemployment rates ranging from 10 per cent in larger communities to 40 per cent in communities along the Mackenzie Valley are a partial reflection of the 'skills gap,'" says the strategy.
"Education and training programs are key to narrowing the margins."
Programs are already under way.
Aurora College in the NWT and Nunavut Arctic College have a variety of pre-employment programs. Apprenticeship programs are another alternative.
Even industry is getting into the act.
In Kugluktuk, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. helped 20 people receive trades training in partnership with the Nunavut Department of Education, Hamlet of Kugluktuk, Kugluktuk Housing Association, the two colleges and Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
At the end of February, eight students completed the Camp Cook Helper Program while 12 earned certificates as Construction Trades Helpers.
Other Diavik programs have included welding, carpentry, conveyor/crusher, chef's and baker's apprentice, cooking and construction millwright.
More than 60 people have taken these programs and the company hopes to help train 200 people in 2001 in a variety of skills, from ironwork to plumbing.
In the NWT, the government will spend $1.1 million training people for work in the mining industry and another $670,000 to train people for oil and gas jobs.
The GNWT has asked for $17,860,000 over the next five years from the federal government to do even more.
