Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 20/98) - In the past two years Yellowknife residents have seen their share of layoffs and cuts.

For those who have suffered, the NWT Construction Association has an idea that may help speed up the healing process.

It is a training program aimed at unemployed workers that will give students experience in carpentry and electricity or heavy-equipment operation.

Yellowknife's John Dryden is one student.

He was laid off from Con Mine last December after working 18 years underground.

"That's basically the only skills I have. I like running equipment underground. I've always been interested in running surface equipment. I figured this course was the perfect opportunity to do it," said Dryden.

The heavy-equipment training program, set up by the association through a partnership with Ace Enterprises, a general contracting company in Yellowknife, will teach Dryden the basics that he can take to the work site with confidence.

"With these skills I'll definitely get a job -- I know that. I'll get my Class 3 out of it. Back-hoe -- if I'm lucky I'll get some work with that. It's only five weeks experience. It's hard to say. The thing is, you have to start some place," said Dryden.

Yellowknife's Susie Gebauer was in the same situation as Dryden. She was out of a job and her skills were limited.

Gebauer was laid off last May after 14 years working as a secretary with the territorial government.

After hearing about the association's training course she quickly signed up.

"I just wanted to do something different. I was tired of sitting behind a desk," said Gebauer last Friday on the job, her safety goggles on and a tool belt around her waist.

The pre-carpentry and electrical course is taught by electrician Rob Roman of Trans Arctic Electric and carpenter instructor Cameron McGurk.

Students in the program have been working inside the government's old liquor warehouse on Old Airport Road.

They are building and wiring a makeshift house which allows students to apply their skills.

"I like working with everybody and watching it all come together. From a pile of lumber on the floor to having a building," said Gebauer.

Gebauer is not sure if this is what she wants to do for a living, but at least it's another career option she can build on, she said.

The Construction Association's Larry Adams is one of the driving forces behind the training program.

The program came about as a result of laid-off mine workers coming to the association's headquarters looking to build on their mine experience to do another type of job.

Agreements were reached with local companies to train interested students.

"What it's doing is by working with industry, they're working within it," said Adams. "The guys have to be doing their job."

Training in the programs vary. The track-hoe is a six-week course, the loader is four weeks and the electrical course is six weeks.

The training program is recognized by the industry and accredited by the association.

"We want these guys to want this. It's not a matter of, 'Oh, I think I'll learn how to do this for a little while and move on to something else.' They got to be serious about taking this course," said Adams.

There are seven students in the carpentry and electrical course. Another five students are taking the heavy-equipment course, two on track-hoe, two on loader and one on the gravel truck.

The next step in the program is to offer it again, said Adams.

To sign up, interested people can drop by the association office. The association will then conduct and interview and determine if the person is serious about taking the training.