Yellowknife (Feb 28/03) - Think the apprenticeship entrance exam is easy? The 90 per cent of Northerners who fail it will say otherwise.

New resource material developed by multiple NWT partners may be the answer, however.

Released recently, the comprehensive learning materials are designed explicitly for improving the level of achievement on the exams.

"The trade entrance exam can either be an obstacle or it can be a gateway. To many it has been an obstacle," said John Simpson, president of the Genesis Group.

The reason for the high failure rate in the past may have been a lack of study material available to help students prepare for the exams.

The new package should help students by outlining the skills required to pass the exams, such as mathematics, science and English. There are also study materials and practice tests.

Simpson said the materials will benefit not only students but the entire territory.

"We want to get people not only working in labouring positions, but into journeyman positions and higher-paying jobs," he said.

Simpson said that will assist in filling a Northern skills gap using Northern workers. It will also begin to build a trend of success among families and communities.

"That is the reason it is such an important job and such an important product," Simpson told a room of industry partners gathered at Northern United Place last Wednesday afternoon.

John McConnel, vice president for NWT projects with DeBeers, said the package has been a long time coming.

"We certainly recognize this as very valuable and well overdue," he said.

DeBeers has already planned a 10-week training program with approximately 10 students using the material.

Following the course the students will be allowed to take the exam. Four of those students will then go onto to an apprenticeship opportunity under the direct supervision of DeBeers.

"It's very exciting for us," said Loretta Foley, the territory's deputy minister of education.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is supporting the package, she said, calling it "innovative and creative."

"It tells us things can happen when we work as a team," said Foley. "Leadership happens through good relationships."

The package will be one of the only of its kind across the country and it has generated national interest, Foley said.

"Other jurisdictions across the country are going to value it and use it."