Iqaluit (May 31/04) - Lino Aqatsiaq built his three bedroom, two-storey house in Iglulik from scratch.

Aqatsiaq is a carpenter, and he says if you can name it, he can build it.

"Everything," he said, gesturing over at a set of winding stairs in the shop at Nunavut Arctic College, one of many projects he has worked on in recent years.

Lino Aqatsiaq built his house in Iglulik from scratch. He is getting certified as a carpenter apprentice though Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit. - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

Until Aqatsiaq started taking the carpenter apprentice course at Nunavut Arctic College in 2000, he was skilled, but he was not certified to work anywhere in Canada as a carpenter apprentice.

Soon he will be.

The carpentry apprentice program, sponsored by Kakivik Association and Nunavut's department of education, is about to reach a milestone -- six carpenter apprentices are getting ready to graduate.

Carpentry senior instructor Lloyd Kendall proudly pointed out recently that it's the only "apprenticeable" trade right now where the apprentice is trained and certified solely in Nunavut.

"And they are all Inuit," Kendall said.

The students write their journeyman exam (it enables them to work in Nunavut, NWT and Alberta) on May 31. Their Interprovincial Red Seal exam (certification that allows them to work anywhere in Canada) is June 4.

Jason Shingoose from Baker Lake is one of the students who had a construction job and building experience before starting the course.

The joys of woodworking are real for him, and he wanted to get certified so he could eventually move up in the business.

"I like being able to see what I've made at the end of the day," he said. "The pay is good. And if you don't mind a lot of work, it is a lot of work."

When Shingoose graduates he will return to Baker Lake, where he works for Baker Lake Contracting and Supplies.

Alex Alooq from Rankin Inlet had experience drywalling and woodworking before joining the program in 2001. He has enjoyed the course and will "go anywhere there is a job," he said.

Jimmy Nattaq of Iqaluit was just putting the finishing touches on a desk last week in the shop when he expressed an interest in making houses for people who need them in Nunavut.

The realities of Nunavut's housing shortage are strongly felt by the workers who may very well be entrusted with home-building.

James Karetak of Arviat now lives in Iqaluit and is aware of the housing crisis in Arviat. He wants to lend a hand and is seriously thinking about starting his own construction business.

For employers like Roy Wright, manager of Baker Lake Contracting and Supplies, the course is about giving skilled workers more encouragement.

"It does a lot for their self-esteem," he said of the course. "I know they can do it," said Wright. "Now they know they can do it."