Deh Cho apprentices learn as they go
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Feb 09/01) - Two Deh Cho residents are using the NWT's apprenticeship programs to launch their careers.
Roger Tremblay, a heavy duty equipment mechanic in Fort Liard, is in his fourth and final year of his apprenticeship program.
He's worked at Beaver Enterprises since October 1997 to gain practical experience. In that time, he's serviced bulldozers, back-hoes, rock trucks, loaders and other vehicles.
"It's very challenging; it's been really interesting," he said.
Although a mechanic's hands tend to take a beating, it's more of a cerebral occupation than in the past due to technological advances, Tremblay noted.
"With the electronics, you've got to do a little bit more step-by-step thinking than in the past," he said of the increasingly complex diagnostic process.
There's a lot of overtime involved with the job too, he said, especially during the winter, a busy period for oil and gas work.
The apprentices also study in the classroom, spending eight weeks at Aurora College in Fort Smith each year.
Tremblay is set to graduate in May. He returns to Fort Smith in March to write his fourth-year ticket and will then take his inter-provincial certification exam.
"If you do the reading that's suggested every day and you pay attention, you'll do fine," he said.
While working for the Hamlet of Fort Liard in the past, Tremblay said he got some insight into mechanics, but there was no opportunity to advance in the trade.
Beaver Enterprises, the band's oil and gas service-sector company, had openings for mechanics. Tremblay applied and was accepted.
"I don't think people realize how good a program we have here. When you go to school there's so much one-on-one (instruction)," he said.
He added that he intends to stay with Beaver Enterprises for the foreseeable future.
"They've been very loyal so I'm going to return that loyalty, for sure," he said.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Louie McKenzie is an aspiring heavy-duty mechanic. He's been learning the ropes at Snowstar Mechanical in Fort Providence since September.
"He (his father) was a pretty good mechanic. He worked just about everywhere from truck driver right down to shop to operator," he recalled. "That's what mainly interested me. I was taught when I was young too. I always worked with tools and stuff."
McKenzie attends Deh Gah Secondary School during the day and is expecting to graduate this summer. He works a couple of hours at the shop daily after his classes.
"It's pretty good," he said, adding that he's worked on everything from semi-trucks to snowmobile engines.
"I've been learning a lot about the principles of engines," he said. "You name it and I've done it already."
