Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 01/99) - Three Northerners have been appointed to the seven-member Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification board.

Kevin Diebold from Norman Wells, Robert Hanna from Fort Simpson and Melanie Ridgely from Yellowknife are the three new board members.

Diebold is an electrician who has earned the red seal which allows him to work in any province. He has been one of the driving forces behind the apprenticeship program and trades training in the Sahtu region since 1981.

He was recognized by the Norman Wells Chamber of Commerce in 1989 as businessman of the year and is currently a member of the NWT economic strategy board.

Ridgely is a high school teacher who specializes in wood working and computer technology.

Her certification as a cabinet maker in 1995 has given her experience with apprenticeship.

She is also president of Skills NWT, a program that encourages young people to become involved in the trades.

Ridgely was the construction technology instructor for women instructors for North of 60 Women in Trades and Technology from 1997 to 1999.

Hanna comes to the certification board with several journey certifications, which include welder, steam fitter, plumber and fourth-class engineer.

Hanna has trained several apprentices and was NWT Tradesperson of the Year in 1997-98.

"I think it's an honour to be on the board. It's a big responsibility," he said.

"One person on the board can't re-invent the wheel but my biggest mandate is to keep the standards up for one thing."

Hanna said he will push for more training programs up North instead of having to send people south to be trained.

He also wants to see people get the red seal on graduation which will enable them to work interprovincially.

"In the North there is talk about making exceptions because many people aren't as educated up here but I don't agree with that," he said.

"I believe we're just as capable up here."

The board is made up of a combination of employers and workers.

"If there's any discussion of issues related to training in the NWT, the board is where it happens," said the director of college and career development with Education, Culture and Employment, David Gilday.

"It's the board that says, 'the '90s are here folks and there is new technology so we need to change our courses to reflect that,'" Gilday said.

Members are appointed for a two-year term and may be reappointed.