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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Testing a turbine outlet temperature gauge on one helicopter and helping to change the hydraulic accumulator on another was all in a day's work for Tyler Lafferty.

Tyler Lafferty shows his approval of Take Our Kids to Work Day from the cockpit of an A-Star B2 helicopter at Great Slave Helicopters Ltd. in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Lafferty, 14, isn't an aircraft mechanic or an aircraft maintenance engineer, but for one day he got a taste of what it would be like to be one. Lafferty and his fellow classmates in the Grade 9 health program at Thomas Simpson School in Fort Simpson spent Nov. 7 participating in Take Our Kids to Work Day.

Local businessesand organizations

The students were all placed in local businesses and organizations, where they spent the day. In its 18th year, Take Our Kids to Work Day gives Grade 9 students the chance to explore career options and understand the importance of staying in school by learning first-hand what skills are needed in the workplace.

The program provides a good working experience and a chance to learn about different jobs, said Lafferty. He spent the day at Great Slave Helicopters Ltd.

"Fun" and "awesome" were two of the words Lafferty used to describe his day spent around helicopters. In addition to helping to fix two helicopters, Lafferty received a short helicopter ride between two of the company's hangars in the village.

"It was pretty fun, I liked it," he said.

After his day at Great Slave Lafferty said he would consider becoming a helicopter pilot or an aircraft mechanic.

Ivor Cli-Norwegian's day at work helped to confirm his career path. The 15-year-old plans to become an aircraft mechanic and then a pilot.

Cli-Norwegian chose to spend Take Our Kids to Work Day at Wolverine Air where he had a summer job.

"I like working here. I like being around planes," he said.

Cli-Norwegian spent the day shovelling snow around planes, refueling a few planes and cleaning out a Twin Otter with an industrial vacuum cleaner. Planes can get pretty dirty with all of the people coming in and out, he said.

Cli-Norwegian said it's great to get hands-on experience with planes.

While Cli-Norwegian wore a winter jacket and insulated snow pants to work, Melissa Pascua-Matte, 14, and Mary Drake, 14, chose the most business-like attire out of their closets. The two girls spent the day at the Department of Industry, Tourism (ITI) and Investment where Melissa's mother, Renalyn Pascua-Matte, works as the manager of trade and investment for the Deh Cho region.

Drake said she learned about the different positions within the department and how the NWT Protected Areas Strategy works. While ITI seems interesting, Drake is set on becoming a psychologist.

Melissa, on the other hand, was able to learn more about what her mother does.

"I like the position she is in," Melissa said.

It is an important job because she helps people get business loans so they can run their businesses and create jobs, said Melissa. Take Our Kids to Work Day confirmed for Melissa that she'd like to have a top position in a government department. It pays well and it's a good feeling to be in a position to help other people, she said.

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