HAY RIVER - Eleven women from around the NWT are opening the door a little wider for females to enter non-traditional trades.

The women in the July 20-30 community airports summer maintenance training course in Hay River are, front, from left, Christina Gaudet (Deline), Stephanie Heron (Fort Smith), Priscilla Moses (Wrigley), Alisa Blake (Fort McPherson), Janice Mandeville (Fort Simpson), Loretta Koe (Lutsel K'e), Grace Chocolate (Gameti); back row from left, Ryanna Kochon (Colville Lake), Theresa Kakfwi (Colville Lake), Sharon Corneille-Tonka (Fort Simpson) and Alma McLeod (Hay River). - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

They have gathered in Hay River for an intensive women-only training course in community airport summer maintenance, which began on July 20.

One of the participants, Sharon Corneille-Tonka of Fort Simpson, said she believes the training will help women enter non-traditional careers.

"It will build up their confidence so they can work in (a) male-dominated industry in any field," she said. Priscilla Moses, a 38-year-old homecare worker from Wrigley, said she is attending the training because it offers something new for her to learn and is a challenge.

"It's an experience for me," Moses said, adding she hopes to get a job working at an airport as a result.

Alma McLeod, a stay-at-home mom from Hay River, said she is attending the training because it's something different.

"It's nice to have another trade," said the 40-year-old McLeod.

The July 20-30 training is part of the Northern Women in Mining, Oil and Gas Project of the Status of Women Council of the NWT.

Council president Dollie Simon of Fort Resolution describes the training as awesome.

"It's opening doors for women in non-traditional careers," she said.

For the course delivery, the council partnered with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Women from communities with gravel runways were invited to apply.

Participants come from Fort Simpson, Colville Lake, Lutsel K'e, Wrigley, Hay River, Fort Smith, Gameti, Deline and Fort McPherson.

Those who were accepted – who were all fitted with work clothes and pink hardhats – will be trained in areas such as airport regulations, equipment operation, safety and security, runway surface maintenance, inspections and heavy equipment maintenance.

Along with classroom instruction, they will receive practical hands-on training.

Sandy Lee, the territorial minister responsible for the status of women, was on hand Monday to help launch the training.

"This program represents an excellent opportunity for women," Lee said, noting 21 of the 27 airports in the NWT have gravel runways.

The job of maintaining those gravel runways is vital, she added.

Lee said she is proud so many women, especially aboriginal women, have accepted the challenge of learning how to maintain the airports, which she said will address the need for skilled workers.

Helena Guergis, the federal minister of state for the status of women, was also on hand for the launch of the training.

"This is a course we could translate across the nation," Guergis said.

She praised the women for seeking to be full participants in the economy.

"You are trailblazers," she said. "You're setting the stage for the future."

Kelly O'Connor, the manager of the Hay River Airport, noted the location is suitable for the training because, along with its main paved runway, the airport has a second runway that is partially gravel.

The course, which will cost up to $80,000, is funded by Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the GNWT, and mining companies De Beers, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.