Rankin Inlet (Sep 06/06) -Arctic College celebrated an historic moment this past week when, for the first time, Inuit held each of the six adult-educator positions in the Kivalliq region.

Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) president Malcolm "Mac" Clendenning said the final two pieces to the puzzle were put in place with the hiring of Inuit adult educators in Repulse Bay and Chesterfield Inlet.

Adult educator Alexis Utatnaq of Baker Lake, instructor Albert Sulurayok of Arviat, adult instructor Anthony Ullikatar of Repulse Bay, Kivalliq co-ordinator of community programs Gerry Pflueger and adult educator Angie Kubluitok of Rankin Inlet, from left, spend some quality time together during an adult educators' conference in Rankin Inlet this past month. - photo courtesy of Nunavut Arctic College Nunavut Arctic College adult educators in the Kivalliq are: Emil Arnalak (Arviat) Angie Kubluitok (Rankin Inlet) Lena Autut (Chesterfield Inlet) Alexis Utatnaq (Baker Lake) Anthony Ulikator (Repulse Bay) Leonie McKitrick (Coral Harbour)

NAC has no learning centre in Whale Cove, but is working to rectify that situation through its budget process.

Clendenning said NAC staff in the Kivalliq have done a great job during the past few years in getting Inuit in all six adult-educator positions.

He said staff commitment is needed to achieve goals such as this.

"The educators come from various backgrounds, including the teacher education program and degrees or diplomas in other disciplines," said Clendenning.

"Every one of these educators would have to meet, at least, the minimum requirements in the job description before they were screened in.

"A beneficiary is given preference in the interview process, but they first have to show they meet the necessary requirements before they're even considered.

"We understand the importance of these jobs in the communities, so first and foremost in our hiring process is to ensure we hire people who can do the work."

With about 85 per cent of the Kivalliq population being Inuit, Clendenning said it's a tremendous advantage to have an adult educator who speaks the language, knows everyone in the community and who students are comfortable in approaching.

He said combining those elements builds a greater sense of trust between the community and the college.

"Adult educators are the first point of contact in the communities for the college.

"They have a better understanding of community needs, and can look at what they need to do to put programs in place that are in demand.

"Adult educators in the Kivalliq would work with the program co-ordinator and campus director so that, if changes do have to be made, programs are tailored to meet local needs.

"They would have to be consistent with guidelines set within the college."

Clendenning said, based on full-time equivalency, NAC had about 250 students this past year.

He said the college tracks its enrolment on a five-year basis to identify patterns. A summer student is employed at the college head office in Arviat to conduct a survey with graduates from the previous year to ascertain where they've gone, how many are working since completing their program, how many are in related fields and what impact the program had on their lives.

"When it comes to job placement for students who finish our courses, NAC is very successful.

"We have almost 100 per cent employment with students who complete our certificate or diploma program in management studies.

"Students leave the program with a solid background in accounting and office procedures, and know how to run programs such as Word Perfect, Windows, Simply Accounting or AccPac.

"When you come out of a program with skills like that in Nunavut, you're not going to have a hard time finding employment."

Clendenning said NAC is quite studious in compiling its curriculum and staff personnel to meet community needs, and the needs of businesses that exist within those communities.

He said in achieving the goal of having all Inuit adult educators in the Kivalliq, NAC used feedback from three different avenues.

The feedback began at the community level, where NAC was hearing a change in direction was needed.

"We were also getting that direction from our board of governors, who wanted to see an increase in Inuit employment levels.

"And, we have targets that are set out in Article 23 in the Land Claims Agreement.

"I ask each senior manager to develop a specific plan and set targets for increasing Inuit employment in each division, and we're making progress.

"Our highest percentage is in the Kivalliq, but we're also doing well in the other regions.