The company began the recruiting push about 18 months ago, said in-flight training director Shelley Sackey of Calgary.

The airline has since hired and trained 17 "bright, enthusiastic and energetic" young people from Inuit and Inuvialuit communities in Nunavut and NWT.

They were hired in Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Inuvik, Iqaluit, Holman and Yellowknife.

"Our latest training course finished last week and the graduates included three women from Igloolik."

Prior to becoming an independent carrier in 2001, Canadian North contracted its routes to Air Canada or Canadian Airlines.

That meant the airline didn't hire or train its own flight operations personnel.

"Before June of 2001 we didn't have a Canadian North flight attendant or pilot on staff," said Sackey.

"They were all employees of either Canadian Airlines or Air Canada."

The company now employs 55 flight attendants, many hired immediately on the company's acquisition of four Boeing 737s in October 2001.

By necessity, flight attendants hired initially to crew the new planes had experience with other carriers, she said.

The airline now runs a four-week flight attendant training program in Calgary. Graduates later assigned to far North routes are based in Edmonton.

Trainees from far North communities are given as much support as possible during their four weeks in Calgary, she said.

"It can be intimidating so we try to look after as many of the details as possible.

"We arrange for hotels, supply a meal allowance and provide transportation to and from the training centre. We also set up a buddy system so they don't have the feeling they are in it alone."

The "intense" four-week session includes both classroom and in-cabin training.

"Some of the trainees from the communities are a little shy when they start, but that doesn't last long. We teach them how to take charge in situations where that is essential. It is exciting to see the change as they go through the course."

Applicants must have Grade 12 or equivalent education, be able to pass a security check, and have work or life skill experience appropriate to the job, said Sackey.

"That might mean two years in customer service at a store, or it mean two years gaining the life skills we are looking for while raising a family, or volunteering in the community.

"We recruit very carefully. It is a demanding job and we don't want to set people up to fail.

"We have had some excellent people go through the course."