Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 11/05) - Guitar-playing Grade 9 student Matt Malmsten has always had an affinity for music.

Malmsten got to experience first-hand the commercial side of the business when he spent eight hours working at the Fiddles and Stix music store in downtown Yellowknife.

"It was really good," said Malmsten. "I learned about working."

Malmsten was one of 120 students from St. Patrick high school who got some hands-on employment experience on Wednesday last week during Take Our Kids to Work.

Susan Huvenaars, co-ordinator of the school's Bridges program, said the exercise provides students with an invaluable experience.

"The goal is to help students learn a little about work," said Huvenaars.

One of those students who got some on-the-job training was Nigel Rossouw.

The 14-year-old spent the day working with mother at Vixen Hair Den. Rossouw, who has worked at the Franklin Ave. salon before, had the not-so-glamorous job of cleaning up hair.

"It has been fun seeing what my mom does," Rossouw said. "But I have no desire to be a hair dresser."

For the record, Rossouw is leaning towards medicine.

"This helps me get an idea about work - and getting up early," he said.

At Fiddles and Stix, Malmsten tuned guitars and helped out around the store.

The 14-year-old hoped the experience could give him an inside track on a summer job.

His classmates spent the day at business around Yellowknife ranging from spas, to banks to retail stores and the territorial government.