Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Nov 23/05) - The number of employees punching the clock in Baker Lake rose significantly for at least one day this past week.

All 50 Grade 9 students at Jonah Amitnaaq secondary school spent a day in the workforce as part of Take Our Kids to Work Day.

Teacher Bill Cooper says the students were placed in various working environments around the community, as both the private sector and government agencies opened their doors for the program.

Among the numerous places to welcome a student for the day were Arctic Fuels, both local schools and libraries, Kivalliq School Operations, the Nunavut Power Corp, Calm Air, Jesse Ooonark Centre, Social Services, the hamlet, heritage centre, day care and prenatal nutrition program.

Cooper says any employer in the community who felt they could take a couple of kids and do some work with them enroled in the program.

He says when available, job shadowing is a part of the Grade 9 curriculum.

"Job shadowing fits within their career-program plan and, even though some may say Grade 9 is kind of early, it helps some of the kids decipher what they want to do with their lives," says Cooper.

"It, at least, gives them a glimpse as to what the workplace is all about and the challenges they can expect to face there.

"They were all quite eager and excited to take part in the program."

Cooper says a small committee was formed to organize the day's placements.

He says a number of older students approach the committee members to find out why they didn't have a Take Our Kids to School Day when they were in Grade 9.

"That speaks pretty loudly as to the positive way the students view this particular program.

"Things change as time goes by and we continue to get better at what we do as educators, and this program is an example of that."

Cooper says almost any program can be organized as a one-time deal, but for lasting results, the trick is to keep a program sustainable.

"I had one person point out this program could help build a contact base for when they're looking for kids to employ in the summer.

"It takes a lot of organizing, but it's a win-win program for both students and employers who take part."