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Jack of all trades

Chris Windeyer
Northern News Services

Clyde River (Oct 16/06) - This jack of all trades might be a master of none, but expect that to change.

Jimmy Aipellee of Clyde River aced two months of daily classes at a pre-trades program. In May, he passed a Level 4 trades entrance exam to become an apprentice oil-burner mechanic, a skilled trade in desperately short supply in Nunavut.

NNSL Photo/graphic

Jimmy Aipellee might be the youngest oil burner mechanic apprentice in Nunavut. He got his apprentice certificate in May and now works at job sites around Clyde River. - photo courtesy of Peter Iqalukjuak


But Aipellee didn't just finish the pre-trades course, he finished with the highest average in his class, earning the Pivaallirivik student of the year award from the Clyde River Community Learning Centre.

"I went there every day studying," he said.

Aipellee now works for Nunaliit Mechanical, and is keeping busy, thanks to a load of supplies that arrived in Clyde River with the last sealift.

"I'm doing well now," he said. "I go to work everyday, sometimes weekends."

Aipellee's shift starts at 8 a.m. when his boss announces the day's plans. As an apprentice, Aipellee works closely with his boss. He said they just finished electrical work on a pair of boilers.

Aipellee likes work as an oil burner mechanic because it allows him to do a little bit of everything: carpentry, electrical and plumbing. That's a skill set that put his services in demand, and allows him to find greater satisfaction in his work.

He likes the work so much that he even puts in extra time studying welding and truck engines. Yet he still makes time for visiting friends after hours.

"I had a few jobs in the past and I didn't like them," he said. "Now I finally find a right job that I want."