Three students from Deline, Tulita and Fort Good Hope recently completed a two-weeks of pre-apprenticeship training at an Imperial Oil job site near Norman Wells.

The unique program was sponsored by Esso along with Ledcor Industrial Maintenance Ltd.

Jill Taylor, a consultant with the Sahtu Board of Education, said the program was developed to spark student interest in signing up for apprenticeship training in their schools.

"Kids in Norman Wells get field exposure to the trades through their career and technology studies," said Taylor.

"Kids in the communities don't have that opportunity. This program is designed to give them that exposure and heighten their interest in getting into the oil field trades.

"Through the two weeks, the three students got a look at what is actually involved in trades such as pipe-fitting, orientation, carpentry, welding, and heavy equipment operating."

Training covered safety, first aid, gas testing, drivers' education, WHMIS certification and other oil and gas-related courses.

"Esso and Ledcor were super," said Taylor. "They flew the kids in each week and looked after housing and meals. We hired a mentor to run the training courses for them."

More than just a job-site tour, the students were up at 6 a.m., in the field by 7 a.m., and put in the same 12-hour shift as everybody else on the job site.

"They were exhausted," said Taylor. "But it was pretty heartening to see them go through it and then walk away saying, 'Yes ... I can do that,' or, 'Yes, I want to do that.'

"That's a big part of what the program is about."

The second two-week session, also sponsored by Esso and Ledcor, will start Jan. 27, said Taylor.