IQALUIT - As the city's population grows and housing is always in short supply, a group of aspiring carpenters are hard at work building complexes that will provide homes for dozens of Iqalummiut - all while earning their trades qualifications.

In charge of the carpentry project is Juili Mike, a journeyman carpenter who represents what the territory needs - Inuit tradesmen who will help build the dwellings and a skilled workforce.

"I like the physical work, the outdoors," said Mike "When I was taking my apprenticeship, I was doing maintenance work."

Mike explained he only recently applied his carpentry qualifications into construction, and he much prefers it.

He has been a journeyman carpenter for 11 years, after completing a four-year apprenticeship in Fort Smith, NWT. Ever since, he's worked with the Iqaluit Housing Authority.

Mike is the foreman on the construction of two five-plex housing units in the Beach Street area of Iqaluit. The apprentices on his crew are all Northerners, earning their hours of apprenticeship toward their qualifications to become journeymen. Other journeymen help Mike supervise.

"I've done construction work on and off for a lot but when I found out about this apprenticeship thing, I want to build my own house and I like working outside," said fellow worker Nowdlak Giles.

In three months on the job, Giles has worked around 500 hours. He needs 1,800 hours a year for four years to qualify to be a journeyman.

Construction of the five-plexes started last spring and should be done this winter.