Yellowknife (Feb 21/03) - There is no lack of support for the Yellowknife Catholic Schools' proposed Career and Technology Centre.

Close to 30 representatives from the public, industry and government attended a public meeting on the facility recently.

During the meeting there was solid agreement that more trades people and training programs are needed in the NWT.

"We want people and we want Northern people," said Mike Vaydik, president of the NWT/NU Chamber of Mines.

That is one of the many reasons that Vaydik, along with members of the NWT construction association, the GNWT and the City of Yellowknife are supporting the endeavour.

"The construction association is very supportive of this," said Bill Aho, NWT Construction Association president.

"Ideally we would like to transport NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) up here tomorrow. Since we can't afford NAIT here the construction association recommends that the centre proceed with as many young people and with as many skills as possible."

Filling the centre with aspiring tradespeople will not be difficult, according to Alyson Stroeder, executive director of Skills Canada.

Skills Canada hosted two recent conferences for Grade 8 boys and girls and attendance. Over 400 students attended to gain more knowledge on a variety of trades.

A survey was also conducted at St. Patrick high school. Thirty-one per cent of students responded to the survey and 140 students indicated an interest in some type of trade.

The Catholic school board has invested approximately $1 million into the centre and an additional $800,000 is needed to make the 600-square metre facility a reality.

Working closely with Yellowknife Education District No. 1, Aurora College and the GNWT the board is trying to determine exactly what programs the centre will offer.

Catholic Schools superintendent Kern Von Hagen said he is encouraged by the support and the funds that have been directed towards to project.

"It's significant enough to give us hope," he said.