Hay River (Feb 02/04) - Today marks the start of NWT Apprenticeship Week. This year's festivities are particularly special because the territory's Apprenticeship Program is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Conrad Lennie, originally from Fort McPherson, is an automotive mechanic apprentice working at Kingland Ford in Hay River. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The program has proven to be one of the most successful training schemes in NWT history said David Gilday, the director of apprenticeship with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, adding it's also one of the best of its kind in Canada.

"It just keeps generating success," Gilday said.

During its four decades, the apprenticeship program has produced 4,050 certified journeymen in the NWT and Nunavut.

Gilday explained it is an employer-based training program, meaning 80 per cent of the training is on the job and 20 per cent in technical school.

"It's tradespeople training tradespeople," he said.

There are 44 trades included in the program, ranging from cooking and carpentry to hairdressing and heavy equipment operating.

Gilday said the included trades change as technology changes.

"They're getting more and more complex."

This year, there are just more than 300 apprentices in the NWT. Forty per cent of them are aboriginal students.

NWT apprentices can study in colleges across Canada, depending on the availability of particular courses. Within the territory, the learning centre is Aurora College, however, many students opt for Alberta technical schools.

Forty-two per cent of the apprentices take at least part of their training at the Thebacha Campus of Aurora College in Fort Smith.

There they study to become plumbers, carpenters, electricians, heavy duty technicians and housing maintainers.

Gilday noted the NWT program is modeled on the Alberta system and the province has offered a tremendous amount of help.

"We really are indebted to Albertans for being good neighbours."

The standard apprenticeship lasts four years, with four in-class periods during that time. Each school session lasts eight weeks.

"This is an opportunity for the apprentices to earn while they learn," Gilday said noting they are paid except when they are in school.

Of the 44 trades, 29 are eligible for Interprovincial Red Seal status -- the exam certifying journeymen to work anywhere in Canada.

NWT Apprenticeship Week will be highlighted by awards for the top apprentices in each of the trades covered by the program.