Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Kugluktuk (Nov 29/99) - Southern carpenters will soon have some competition when they are looking for work in Kugluktuk.

A four-year carpentry program began four weeks ago after instructor Fred Cornelssen initiated what eventually became a joint-venture between Arctic College, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, the hamlet office and the GN's department of education.

Some 38 applications were submitted for the 12 openings that are now filled with students who are learning the basics of carpentry.

"I was finding that people were interested in getting a trade, but didn't really want to leave the community or their families to pursue one," said Cornelssen, who is also the maintenance manager for the Kugluktuk Housing Association.

"The students are doing very well, they're very good with their hands and enjoy the way the system is set up."

The students, two of whom are women, attend evening classes twice a week and have class all day on Saturday. Each unit is done in a module format, allowing them to progress at their own pace.

As a single mom with a three-year-old son, Jennifer Maniyogena says the program gives her the freedom to keep her day job, look after her son and learn a trade all at the same time.

"Having a trade will help me out because I won't have to rely on anyone for help and it will help me to improve overall," she said.

"I'm not really the type to sit at a desk all day and do paper work, I prefer to work with my hands and it's very challenging mentally."

Similarly, 17-year-old Ryan Nivingalok says the possibility of having a trade under his belt by the time he's 21 is appealing.

"Everyone in the class always encourages me by saying I could be finished by the time I'm 20 or 21," said Nivingalok, who is also in the process of completing Grade 12.

"It's challenging because I'm at the high school all day and then I have night classes and weekend class, but it's definitely worth it."

Because the program is part time, it is 39 weeks long and will run until the end of June.

And at that time, Cornelssen says he will arrange for his students to work as apprentices during the summer months. He would also like to set up a project that would see everyone building a house from start to finish.