RANKIN INLET - Hundreds of youths took part in the second annual career fair for students in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Pallulaaq Ford (RN) and Jason Olynyk (RPN) had plenty of visual aids to help them represent the Kivalliq Regional Health Centre at the Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik Career Fair in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) work experience co-ordinator Kevin Bussey said the fair went well, despite a drop in presenters due to a mining symposium held in Iqaluit at the same time.

The fair had been set for March 15, but was postponed by bad weather.

"Some of our presenters had already committed to the mining symposium and couldn't make it this past week, but we only lost three or four," said Bussey.

"But that still left us with about 18 for the fair.

"The health centre and therapy services were popular booths with the kids, but I'm not sure how big a role having so many great gadgets with them played in that.

"The Nunavut Arctic College display also attracted a lot of attention, especially with the older kids."

Bussey said MUI's overall objective with the fair is to build awareness about career opportunities that exist.

He said an emphasis is being placed on the trades, with so many tradespeople desperately needed in Nunavut.

"It was nice to have the pre-trades people at the fair with the model of Nunavut Arctic College's new trade school in Rankin.

"That certainly created a bit of interest in the trades among the young people who were there."

Bussey said getting the message out about trade opportunities has been a slow, but steady, process.

He said more work has to be done at the school level, in terms of building interest in the trades, offering more courses that connect with the trades, and getting more kids involved in the work experience program.

"I hope to be able to hold a special Trades Awareness Day before the end of the school year.

"Rather than a full career fair we'll have something set up in the lobby, and also have tradespeople and someone involved with the new trades school go to the classes and talk with our senior students.

"This coming month, we're meeting with parents who have kids interested in Nunavut Early Apprenticeship Training (NEAT) for next year.

"We've had some Grade 9 students express interest in joining that program next year, as Grade 10 is the first year they can join."

NEAT allows a student to actually be registered as an apprentice while still attending school.

Bussey said MUI started teaching the prerequisite courses, such as first aid and work-place safety, to Grade 9 students this year.

He said that will allow them to have the prerequisites already under their belt when they arrive in Grade 10.

"When we started this two years ago, we were just giving it to the high school students, but a lot of kids were missing it because of the way it was set up within our cycles.

"Having kids showing interest at a younger age is good news, and it's what I see as the key to the program's success.

"Moving the training back to Grade 9 was a good move, and we just have to continue in that direction."