Inuvik - A program geared to teach youth mining skills ended last week with a ceremony at the Beaufort Delta Education office.

The mining course was part of the Youth Entry-Level Skills program, which takes in students for a few weeks to immerse them in a career.

Brianna Tingmiak receives her completion certificate from instructor Austin Abbott. The Youth Entry-Level Skills program recently completed its mining course, in which youth from the region learned about the industry. A small ceremony was held last week. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Instructor Austin Abbott said this is the first year that the course has been offered.

"It gives the students a chance to explore the mining area, no pun intended," said Abbott.

He said the three-week course gives youth a chance to see what skills are needed and what is involved in mining and exploration careers.

The program started on Oct. 15 and finished on Nov. 2.

The group looked at refining minerals.

"We examined what careers were available with refining and had the students do some hands-on work as well," he said.

Workplace safety was also covered in the course.

Abbott said they went into detail with the safety measures needed for mining.

The students were also taught CPR and will be receiving certificates for that in the near future.

While the course didn't leave the classroom, Abbott said the students had a lot of hands-on learning.

"We did some microscope work, to get an idea of how to identify minerals by section," he said.

"That was a bit of enrichment, which was out of the program guidelines, but served as good information."

The class also got a chance to do some gold panning.

The course had 16 participants, with 23 applicants.

Abbott said the applications came in from Paulatuk, Aklavik and Inuvik.

"Not every student could make it to the program," he said.

"The ones who participated did extremely well."

Abbott said that students can sign up for the course and others like it through the schools in their community.

The potential participant would then talk with the principal, who would do a face-to-face interview.

From that step, would screen the applications. Abbott said that the program is a great opportunity.

"There is so much exploration in the North," he said.

"In the future, you'll see a lot more mining and exploration in this region."

Mary Ann Ross of the Gwich'in Tribal Council was on hand for the completion ceremony.

She passed on the congratulations of the council to the students.

"This is a very successful program," said Ross.

"There are so many jobs in this industry, there are many opportunities for the youth."

"I learned a lot of new things, about rocks and minerals," said Jayphin Elanik, 18.

Elanik said that he heard about the program from his principal.

"I thought about it, I figured it would be nice to learn something new," he said.

Now, the student is ready to choose a possible career.

"I'd participate in another course like this," he said.

"I want a career driving a big dump truck, so this helps."