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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - After putting their handiwork to the test and getting the gold in April, 18 NWT youths, including 16 from Yellowknife, are headed to the national Canadian Skills competition. The youth will be in Charlottetown, PEI on May 19 to compete with Canada's best young tradespeople.

Brandon Anderson shows off the tools that got him the gold prize in his yard last Friday. He will be going to PEI on May 19 to compete in the national Canadian Skills competition. - Katherine Roth/NNSL photo

Among them is 17-year-old Brandon Anderson. The Grade 12 student at Sir John Franklin high school took the top prize for his construction of a tree house in the secondary category, and said he is excited to see how far he can go in the nationals.

"I don't think I am going to win or anything, but I think it is going to be fun," he said.

Anderson became interested in building things, mainly with woods and metals, when he took a shop class in Grade 10 in Carstairs, Alta. Since then he has developed his skill through regular practice, and is now doing his apprenticeship. He also has a part-time job at Konge Construction.

"I would like to finish my apprenticeship, and then probably work up to building houses or being a (shop) teacher," he said.

Skills Canada NWT is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote careers in skilled trades and technology to Northern youth. According to executive director Jan Fullerton, the competition is a great way for participants to develop both skills and confidence.

"The experience is really great in that it gives competitors confidence in terms of what they already know, and it gives them access to the industry," she said. "Judges and educators who connect with them and teach them are present at the competition, which is really great."

Fullerton added that many of the contestants come back from year to year, and are able to gain experience and improve skills each time they return. The 16 students from Yellowknife participating this year include both secondary and post-secondary students.

After nearly losing $80,000 in funding from the territorial government, the possibility for youth to compete this year was almost lost, but the money was re-instated in time to allow the competition to go on.

Fullerton said it is most important for contestants to remember to have fun and learn from the obstacles they face.

"Everyone should be focused on having a good time, doing their best and learning from the experience with reasonable expectations," she said. "There will definitely be challenges, but they will be up against people who have resources that we don't have in the NWT. As long as they have fun, that's the main thing."