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SAMBAA K'E/TROUT LAKE - The Sambaa K'e Development Corporation is using education to address the need for skilled trades people in Trout Lake.

Classes are about to begin in the adult education program that the corporation offers to all adults in the community. The program was started a year ago to help community members upgrade their education to a level where they can pass the entrance exam into a trades program, said Rick Phaneuf, the general manager of the corporation.

Laura Andrighetti, right, a Beaver volunteer at the Charles Tetcho school in Trout Lake, works with student Sheyenne Jumbo. Fellow Beaver volunteer James Nightingale is leading the adult education program in the community. - photo courtesy of James Nightingale

Many adults in the community, particularly the corporation staff, have all the skills required for some trades but don't have the official papers to prove it because they can't pass the entrance exam, he said.

"It's to our benefit to get them ticketed if we could," Phaneuf said.

Using the adult education program, the corporation has set a goal of having two people apprenticed, one as a carpenter and one as an electrician, within four years. To encourage participation in the program corporation staff is paid to be in the classroom.

Out of the 17 staff members, eight have chosen to be active in the program, said Phaneuf. The staff spends an hour a day in the classroom. People rotate through during the day so normally there's only two people with the teacher at any time.

The corporation received a grant from Aurora College to help cover the cost of the program. The Sambaa K'e First Nation is also supporting the initiative.

"They're 100 per cent behind us on this program," said Phaneuf.

The teaching staff for the adult education program are Beaver volunteers from the Frontiers Foundation. This year the community is hosting a couple from the Toronto area.

Laura Andrighetti, a qualified teacher, is volunteering in the Charles Tetcho school. Her partner James Nightingale, who has a background in accounting, is teaching the adult education program and also assisting with the administration of the corporation.

The classes, which are expected to start by the end of the month, will be tailored to participants' needs, said Nightingale. Math, English and science will be the three main subjects but participants will be asked what they need or want to learn, Nightingale said. While many people come to work towards their trades exam some are just there for personal interest, he said.

Community members still have time to sign up for the program.

"The more the better," said Nightingale.