Rankin Inlet (Oct 08/03) - The Atuqtuarvik Corp. has begun to come through on its promise to train Inuit for senior-management positions.

The corporation provides loans and equity investments to Inuit-owned businesses for business start ups, acquisition and expansion.

The company has recently hired Dorothy Merritt and Tracy Wallace to embark on multi-year training programs combining on-the-job training with post-secondary courses.

Prior to joining Atuqtuarvik, Merritt worked for both the NWT and Nunavut governments as a systems co-ordinator.

She says her new position is an opportunity for advancement that includes further training and education.

"I'm excited over this being a three-year-training position, and the design of the plan being done in partnership with the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee (NITC)," says Merritt.

"The training plan, through distant education, can lead to obtaining a bachelor of commerce degree in financial services."

Wallace left her position as the commercial development officer of Nunavut Airports with CG&T to join Atuqtuarvik.

She says was looking for new career challenges when this opportunity arose.

"I knew of some of Atuqtuarvik's accomplishments and was excited to join its productive team," says Wallace.

"I enjoy being part of discussions that encourage and support positive solutions for a stronger Nunavut economy."

Lengthy hiring process

President Ken Toner says the corporation needed highly-trained professionals to start its operations.

Once that was accomplished, it made a commitment to hire and train Inuit to eventually replace current senior management. "NITC assisted us in preparing job descriptions, task lists and the three-year-training program," says Toner.

"NITC is also providing almost half the training funds required."

Toner says the hunt for the proper candidates was an exhaustive one, taking more than a year to complete.

He says the company took its time because of the high cost involved with the training aspects of the hires.

"We are training these people to become senior account managers dealing with $1-million loans and the controller's position.

"Half of their time here will be spent studying, academically, the other half on job training."

Toner says Merritt and Wallace will receive a portion of their training at a Southern college or university.

The rest will be done through distant learning.

"Our intent is that in three years, these two people will be fully qualified to replace our existing staff."