Baker students taken to TASK
Baker youth introduced to six trades in week-long program
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
BAKER LAKE
Students at Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School (JASS) benefitted from the expertise of a number of instructors employed by Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) in Baker Lake this past week.
Nunavut Arctic College electrical instructor Noah Paniyuk gives students Tyler Kavik and Nungnik Iglookyouak, from left, a few pointers in Baker Lake this past week. - photo courtesy of Jen Hayward |
AEM and Nunavut's Department of Education partnered to deliver the weeklong Trades Awareness Skills and Knowledge (TASK) program to the JASS students.
The program sees AEM and the Department of Education work with JASS to encourage youth to get involved with the trades, as well as being a preparation for post-secondary education.
JASS administration selected students with good academic standing and attendance to participate in the week of hands on skills and trades learning.
Close to 70 students took part in the program, which was delivered at both JASS and Baker's airport garage.
AEM supplied instructors for hairdressing, welding, mechanics and culinary arts, while Nunavut Arctic College supplied instructors for plumbing and electrical.
AEM also brought in three of its Nunavut apprentices to help with the instructing.
Helping instruct the JASS students were mechanical apprentices Nathanial Kusugak and Cameron Issakiark, as well as electrical apprentice Evelyn Cook.
AEM community liaison co-ordinator Karen Yip said TASK was a week of exciting and meaningful hands on activities and exposure to new and positive opportunities for the JASS students.
She said the program provided the students with a chance to experience what the trades are all about.
"The TASK week provided these kids with a window into the world of welding, mechanics, culinary arts, plumbing, electrical and hairdressing," said Yip.
"It's encouraging to see students mentored by Inuit tradesmen and inspired by young Inuit apprentices.
"Success could be seen in the level of student engagement, and how the week helped past students to expand their career choices.
"AEM is proud to be part of this program, and we are fortunate to have the support of local businesses like Arctic Fuel and the Hamlet of Baker Lake."
The TASK program has been delivered in Baker in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Yip said the focus of the TASK partnership is on work readiness and skills promotion starting at the high school level.
She said it also serves to expose students to opportunities that are available as career choices.
"TASK does a good job in encouraging students to try different things and take a serious look at post-secondary education in the trades programs and, it's also my understanding, students who take part in the program earn academic credit for doing so.
"We had very good attendance all week during the program, and the instructors were as enthusiastic about what was being done as the students.
"Some people at AEM changed their schedules around because they had taken part in the TASK program previously, and they were very keen on returning this year and being part of it all again.
"It was a successful week and, hopefully, a number of those who took part will go on to attend trades training following high school."
