Yellowknife (Mar 04/05) - Entering a non-traditional occupation does not phase Rosalind Skinner in the least.

"It would be cool to be a welder. I'd definitely consider it," Skinner said, welding torch in hand and face shield pulled up over her long brown hair.

"My Grandpa was a welder, so I thought I'd try it," said Skinner, a Grade 9 student participating in the welding course at the Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre.

"It's definitely fun. I came here on a tour of the building and tried it in Grade 8 and I really liked it," she added.

This week, a one-year celebration was held to reflect back upon the first of hopefully many years of education in the trade and technical fields at the centre.

Allyson Stroeder, co-ordinator of the centre, said the recent open house was a way to show sponsors and partners the "wonderful things students are doing."

The $1.8 million centre first opened last April and teaches welding, construction, cosmetology, electronics and mechanics. It also has a multi-station lab where students can work on individual projects.

Students within Yk Education District No. 1, Yellowknife Catholic Schools and Aurora College are able to participate in classes at the centre.

Thus far, Stroeder said the carpentry students have made Adirondack chairs and folding camp stools. Technology students have made an automated can crusher and welding students have made guitar stands, Skidoo stands and various other items.

"And students in the mechanics lab have built circuit boards and they are working on redoing an ATV," she said.

Over the course of the year, she said 389 student have attended classes at the centre.

"One of the things we need to do at the centre is show the students that their academics are really important.

"Here at the centre, we try not to only say 'here is why you need to learn your math,' but 'here is how you would use your math in your course,'" Stroeder said.

"It's a real practical application of all the theoretical knowledge."

This June, the first group of students will be graduating but Stroeder said several Grade 11 students have already decided upon their career of choice.

"They are working with some businesses in Yellowknife, getting some hours in."

Stroeder said organizations like Skills Canada are vital to raising awareness about various trades. "For a long time, the trades have had a bad reputation - dirty, low paying and not a lot of work associated with them - but that's not correct anymore," Stroeder said.

"They are in very high demand and they are some of the highest paying jobs in Canada."

Kirstin Mahler is another Grade 12 student who participated in the multi-station lab last semester.

"At the end we put the skills together and worked in teams and made the can crusher."

Undecided about her career, Mahler said she plans to go to university and see from there.

"But I'm really glad I took this course because up until now, I had only taken academic courses."

Cathie Bolstad, manager of public and corporate affairs for NWT projects for De Beers, said the company believes in investing early to develop a skilled workforce for the future. "This is one of the initiatives we have invested in to have NWT youth be supported in literacy development and supported in pursuing trades as career possibilities," Bolstad said.

De Beers will require construction workers, electricians, plumbers and workers who run water and sewage treatment plants, she noted.

"Primarily, we're going to need underground miners, but there is always going to be a need for skilled tradespeople at our sites. What this centre is achieving is helping kids see the opportunities in the trades."