Phil Duffy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 04/01) - Burgess Andre is experiencing both joy and satisfaction over finally becoming the first licensed apprentice in the field of ceramic and marble tile installation in the Northwest Territories.
After a three-year course, where Andre attended classes full-time for one month and learned on the job for the remainder of the year, he was finally rewarded with an apprenticeship.
It was difficult for Andre at first because there was no actual course offered in his field in the NWT.
"I think the position of the apprenticeship board was that it wasn't economically feasible to have an entire course for just one person," said Andre.
"After the board was sure I was serious about a career in marble and ceramic tile they treated me pretty good."
Andre works for F.E.D. Tile Ltd., owned by Francois Emile Dion.
"He had to fight for his apprenticeship," Dion said of Andre. "I told him not to take no for an answer."
Andre enjoys his field and his working environment, and he appreciates his boss.
"It was easy to learn the trade because I had one of the best journeymen in the business as my teacher. I hope to become a journeyman myself in about two years."
This 21-year-old, Whitehorse-born apprentice has been living in Yellowknife for over 13 years now. "I like living here, I consider it my home now," said Andre. His mother and sister live here in town as well.
Among his finished projects is Sir John Franklin high school.
Andre helped to install all of the marble and ceramic tiling throughout the building.
While he likes working with the ceramic tiling, he finds he prefers marble.
"Marble is just more pleasing to the eye," he said.
In his spare time Andre is an avid hockey fan and player.
He plays forward for the Eastern tournament champions known simply as Ace Enterprise.
"I usually play left or right winger, but I'll play any position where I'm needed," said Andre.
