Preparing for oil and gas work
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Mar 02/01) - A talk on potential opportunities relating to oil and gas activity in the area has encouraged Ria Kisoun.
Kisoun, who will graduate from the office administration program this May, took part in an assembly early last week as part of Aurora College Week.
Guest speakers were Nellie Cournoyea, chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corp., and Fred Carmichael, president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.
Kisoun said the main message she took away from the meeting was the importance of completing one's education now.
"Money's there to get educated, we just have to take the opportunity," Kisoun said.
"I'm going into management studies in the fall. I hope to work in some aspect of oil and gas in the future."
Kisoun said those with the necessary education will be able to take on lots of jobs, in this region or beyond. She said this is a great chance for local people to get more education and make themselves more marketable.
"There's tons of jobs."
Lack of funding
Kisoun said one concern is a lack of funding for people who want to take adult basic education.
"That's where it really starts, you know, if you want to go anywhere.
"And if you get frustrated and can't even get support to get into adult basic education, then you're put back a step," Kisoun said.
You have to go look for a job that pays minimum wage."
Kisoun said income support helps but is not enough.
"They need to provide more money for people who want to go to school, without putting limitations on what programs they can enter, that's what I think," she said.
Everyone deserves the right to education and they should be supported."
Kisoun gets funding through student financial assistance and the Inuvialuit Education Foundation (student loan program).
