FORT SIMPSON - When it comes to working in the trades, the Deh Cho has a long list of highly skilled apprentices.

Four trade apprentices and one occupational certification candidate have won awards for obtaining the top grades in their trade across the territory.

Chuck Jacobson, the superintendent for Education, Culture and Employment, right, presents Ronnie Antoine with the award for highest marks as a second- year housing maintainer apprentice. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

This is the highest number of winners to come from the Deh Cho in a long time, said Chuck Jacobson, superintendent of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE).

Awards are given by trade and by year of study. The Deh Cho has averaged one award a year, said Jacobson.

"It's exceptional to have this many, but it's nice to have this many," he said.

This year's winners include Sheldon Brown, for fourth-year automotive service technician, at P.R. Contracting; Ronnie Antoine, for second-year housing maintainer, at the Fort Simpson Housing Corporation; Kristopher Bellefontaine, for first- year painter/decorator, with Energy Efficient Technologies; Darren Hazenberg tied for the award for first-year power-line electrician. He is with the NWT Power Corporation.

Gilbert Cazon won the award for environmental monitor, an occupational certification.

The awards were presented in Fort Simpson on Feb. 9 as part of an open house and celebration of trades and occupations at the ECE office.

For Ronnie Antoine this isn't a new honour. He also won the award during his first-year training to be a housing maintainer.

The apprenticeship lasts for three years before he can write his ticket. During that time he's learning about the plumbing and heating of homes and how to ensure that housing units run properly. He's training under journeyman John Tsetso.

For Sheldon Brown, becoming an automotive service technician was less of a choice.

"I always say I don't think I chose to be a mechanic. I think it chose me," said Brown, who grew up around mechanics.

This is the first time Brown has won the award. Having finished his fourth year, he's now a certified journeyman with a Red Seal.

Brown said he enjoys his work as a mechanic because there's always something new happening, which means the job isn't repetitive.

Gilbert Cazon is particularly proud of his award as an environmental monitor.

Cazon said he was involved in establishing the curriculum for the Aurora College program. Part of his motivation was to adapt and use aboriginal knowledge.

"I did a lot of work and I'm glad I'm being recognized for a field I've been trying to promote," said Cazon.

There are currently 11 apprentices in the Deh Cho.

In the smaller communities there are fewer journeypeople so the number of people apprentices can train under is limited, said Jacobson.

Apprentices spend 10 months of the year working under their journeyperson and approximately two months in a classroom setting.