Building a future in wood work
Norman Wells' Hunter Gray sets sights on carpentry program
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 24, 2014
LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
He's only in Grade 12, but Hunter Gray has big plans for his future. The Mackenzie Mountain School student has already applied for the millwork and carpentry program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, Alta. and said he hopes to begin next fall.
Grade 12 student Hunter Gray of Norman Wells is busy preparing for his future. - photo courtesy of Hunter Gray |
While he doesn't yet know if he's been accepted to the program, Gray said he's already begun preparing. His sister and her boyfriend, who is also Gray's best friend, live in Edmonton and are also attending NAIT.
Gray said he plans to live with them if he is accepted into the program.
Gray's love of carpentry began last year when he worked for the Town of Norman Wells.
He said a co-worker spoke about how much he liked carpentry, which prompted Gray to sign up for shop class in school.
"That interested me, and I took shop class here at school and really enjoyed it," he said.
Since then, Gray has helped his father construct a new deck for their family home and assisted the shop class to build a shed. He said he has learned to love working with his hands.
"I just like the hands-on experience that it gives me and saying, 'I built that'," he said.
To expand his knowledge and experience, Gray said he plans to participate in the Schools North Apprenticeship Program (SNAP) next semester.
He'll get a chance to work with a local carpentry business where he'll earn Career and Technology Studies credits for the first 125 hours.
After that, he'll start earning a small portion of what a journeyman carpenter makes per hour.
If he's accepted into the NAIT program and finishes, Gray said he would like to either work in Edmonton or possibly return to Norman Wells to start his own business.
He said his friend currently attending NAIT is also taking the millwork and carpentry course, which would make him an ideal partner.
"I would finish my apprenticeship and then possibly start my own business with my friend who is doing the same course right now," Gray said.
"He's built some pretty cool things."
Gray said he would also like to build a house "later in life."
Mackenzie Mountain School principal Michael Duclos said he knows Gray has what it takes to succeed.
"He's got a good head on his shoulders and he's a dedicated student," he said.
"He's an all-around great guy."
Gray said he expects to find out whether he's been accepted into the program later this month.
