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Skills competition draws a crowd Inuvik students show their aptitude in tradesT. Shawn Giilck Northern News Services Published Thursday, February 28, 2013
It was all part of the fifth annual NWT North Regional Skills Competition at the school. "It's a chance to expose students to the trades," said organizer Brigitte Kay, a counsellor at East Three. For several years, schools and government have been trying to encourage students to go into the trades, industries that typically are in high need of new workers, and which often offer better-than-average pay. Events like the skills competition are one way of reminding students in a friendly manner not to write off jobs in the sector. The skills competition happened at the same time as the annual career fair, which made for an excellent two-in-one impact, Kay said. The students were competing in various categories, including cooking, baking, sewing, and more standard trades like electrical wiring. Dave Halpine, a physical education teacher who also coaches the East Three sewing class, said the event provided the students with some valuable experience and a competitive edge. The youths were vying for a chance to earn a spot at the territorial championships in Yellowknife on April 16, he said. From there, winners will earn a chance to compete nationally in Vancouver from June 5 to 8. "It's a chance to focus on the trades," Halpine said. "It's really enticing because of the rich culture and heritage here for things like sewing, and it draws the largest demographic." His students Chantell Smith-McLeod and Shiense Cockney were among the competitors working on traditional sealskin mitts. "I just like to sew," said Smith-McLeod. At the wiring competition, Tyson Klengenberg faced off against Austin Kitckudlak. "I started doing this a couple of months ago," said Austin. "I want to get a good job doing this kind of work." "Wiring is my favourite thing to do," added Tyson. "I grew up around it, and it's good to learn new things and meet new friends."
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