Yellowknife (Feb 18/04) - At least one construction company in Yellowknife thinks the territorial government is not doing enough to attract more young people to the trades.

Bob Morgan, an owner/partner with Nahanni Construction, says the government has to put its money where its mouth is.

"There's only one person on the apprenticeship board to service it and he needs more help. The government has to become more active in the apprenticeship program and the administering of it," said Morgan.

The minister responsible for the apprenticeship program is Charles Dent, minister of Education, Culture and Employment. He agreed there is a problem.

"Have you tried to get anyone to come over and repair something on your home recently?" Dent asked.

"There's definitely a real shortage of skilled trades people who can do electrical work, as well as carpenters and plumbers. They are in very high demand and the opportunities are great," said Dent.

The trades are currently one of the best avenues for a high paying job, said the minister.

"From graduating from an apprenticeship program, many young people entering the trades are often making as much or more than first-year accountants, lawyers or doctors and they're starting off with no debt whereas others have huge debt," said Dent.

Dent pointed out that the skilled worker shortage is not just a Yellowknife problem.

"It's not just here, it's all over Canada," he said.

At the same time, Dent profiled some of the government's efforts.

"For skilled workers and tradespeople, the Government of the Northwest Territories supports apprenticeship training. The GNWT offers wage subsidies for people in apprenticeship programs," said Dent.

Whether the status quo is enough to properly address the issue is another matter, said Morgan.

"It's sort of at a crisis. With the economy and the mining sector we just can't sign enough people or entice enough young people into getting into the trades. Hopefully, with the new training facility and the support of DeBeers, that might change," said Morgan.

Dent agreed, noting parents may have something to do with the career choices of young people.

"There does seem to be a problem with parents recognizing the trades in education as opposed to professions. It does appear there will be more opportunities in the trades than in the professions over the next 10 years," said Dent.