"The funding that we are looking for is really to support the efforts already being made by industry, by aboriginal groups and by our own government," said NWT Education, Employment and Culture Minister Jake Ootes.

The group, made up of the federal and territorial government along with Akita Drilling's Rob Hunt, was formalized earlier this fall and plans to hit Ottawa up before the month is over. The territorial government is already spending about $6 million annually to train people for industry jobs according to Ootes.

"We as a government, are at a point where we can't put in any more money," he said.

The cash is intended for a number of specific demographic groups. One of them includes about 2,000 people who have never been in the workforce.

The federal government already provides cash to re-train people who are subsidized by Employment Insurance programs. But there is no training money for residents who have never collected the benefit.

The NWT is glowing with the highest employment rate in the country at more than 70 per cent thanks to a booming economy.

"But the reality in oil and gas exploration, is that people are still being flown in and out. We want to ensure that Northern people have the opportunities," said Ootes.

Another $9 million federal training fund comes through Aboriginal Human Resource Development Groups, "but they distribute that money to their own training and skill development," said Ootes, explaining that the Oil and Gas Training Committee hopes to bring together existing dollars and take advantage of new programs.

Two years ago the territorial government developed an in-depth human resource development proposal and submitted it to Jane Stewart, minister of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

"We needed help -- as a territorial government -- to support the skill and training needs of the people of the territories so we can move people into the work force."

Stewart suggested the request be more specific and involve industry.

The mining industry has plans in place, but there is nothing specific to the territory's blossoming petroleum business.

Recently, the federal government pledged about $25 million to fund aboriginal training toward the Voisey's Bay mining project in Labrador.

"That's the kind of thing we need for the Northwest Territories," said Ootes.