Inuvik (May 20/05) - Beaufort-Delta students Robert Vittrekwa and Brent Blake, who are both in the Youth Oil and Gas Entry Level Skills program, got an inside look at what a career in the trades has to offer during a recent trip to Calgary.

The pair were selected for their excellent work in the program and "exceptionally good" placement reports from employers during a recent on-the-job exercise and course instructor Austin Abbott had nothing but good things to say about them.

"You could not have two better young fellows," he said. "They are attentive, a pleasure to have in class and the kids really deserve the recognition."

City tour

As well as kudos from Abbott, their hard work earned the students a trip to Calgary to tour Conoco Phillips' gas production plant, Precision Drilling's operations and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).

"It was a pretty awesome trip and the best part was when we went to the shop where they do welding," said Blake, a Grade 12 student at Chief Julius school in Fort McPherson who hopes one day to earn his welding ticket.

"I'll see if I can get out there and do some work (after I finish school in December)," Blake said. "After that I'll head out to college, take some welding courses and maybe auto mechanics."

This is the third year the Beaufort District Education Council has offered the Youth Entry Level Skills program and the second year it has sent students on a trip south through its partnership with Conoco Phillips.