John Curran
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 26, 2007

RAE-EDZO - For most people, earning a living doing math in the dark would be the last thing they'd want to do, but Jonathan Clouter isn't just collecting a paycheque - he's building a career.

Jonathan Clouter, left, is an underground surveyor from Behchoko. He is seen here with his boss Shannon Campbell, supervisor of mine engineering at the De Beers' Snap Lake mine, while the pair takes time out for a quick ice cream break. - John Curran/NNSL photo

The 23-year-old Behchoko man has been doing underground surveying for more than three years now and can hardly imagine doing anything else.

"I like it, it's good work," he said. "It keeps me busy and out of trouble."

He started out with Aboriginal Engineering as a survey helper, but has since worked his way up to being an underground surveyor and a full-time employee at De Beers' Snap Lake mine.

"I do math all day," he said. "I line the miners up to drill and blast the tunnels."

He's generally on a two-in-two-out rotation and, although it took a little getting used to, the schedule is something he now really enjoys.

"Being off for a two-week stretch is great," he said. "It gives you a chance to travel when you're not working."

Working at the mine has also been financially rewarding for him.

"I've got a snowmobile and a truck," he said, beaming with pride. "I'm hoping to buy a boat before too much longer."

Clouter's boss at Snap Lake is Shannon Campbell, supervisor of mine engineering. He speaks very highly of the Behchoko resident and the program that gave him his start.

"Jonathan (Clouter) is a great guy to have working here, he's always so energetic," he said. "The survey helper program he did is a great one."

He said it allows employers to work with Aboriginal Engineering to give youth from smaller communities a chance to get the hands-on practical know-how they need for a technical career.

"Let's face it, work is still a four-letter word," said Campbell. "Working with people like (Clouter) and seeing them progress are the things that make work more enjoyable."