Yellowknife (Jan 17/07) - Showing up on time, and having a willingness to learn are two skills that Niels Konge, owner of Konge Construction, considers essential for new employees.

They are also among the skills taught to young Northerners in the building trades helper program at Aurora College.

Martin Rouillier, left, and Mitchell Madsen are both apprentice carpentry students working at Konge Construction in Yellowknife. - David Ryan/NNSL photo

The 12-week shop and classroom session teaches basic soft skills along with an introduction to carpentry, electrical and plumbing work.

A 12-week work placement is also part of the program. "These students get some experience and it's an asset to me and to them," said Konge.

Konge Construction will soon be joined by one student doing their placement after completing the first part of the program last fall.

If all goes well, the student could potentially be hired on full-time by the company if the student is willing to write an entry level apprentice exam, he said.

"This program helps," he said. "They can come to work and they're not totally green."

Having new trades people on the job is common for the construction company, which employs an average of nine full-time workers, he said.

If an apprentice is willing to put the hours in, there are a tremendous number of opportunities in Yellowknife and the North, he said.

Mitchell Madsen, a 19-year-old second year carpentry apprentice with Konge Construction, is one young Yellowknifer enjoying his trades position.

"I like it. I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't," said Madsen, who will attend the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in February for ongoing training.

The building trades helper program was offered last September for the first time, and the second course will begin on Jan. 22, said Barb Curtis, Aurora's co-ordinator for the program.

Aurora College, Service Canada and the NWT Department of Education are providing funding for the program. Yellowknife companies and groups will also provide work placements, supplies or funding, she said.

"This program gives students the opportunity to go out and work effectively and efficiently," she said.

There have been 20 applications received so far, with 15 positions open for the course, which is also offered in Fort Smith, she said.

Students will receive a total of 360 hours of academic and shop training and 200 hours for trades training in the Kimberlite Career Technical Centre, she said.

Last term, eight of the 11 applicants passed the program and moved on to work placement opportunities, she said.