RANKIN INLET - Students from Rankin Inlet brought home a total of seven medals from the fifth annual Skills Canada Nunavut competition in Iqaluit this past month.

Striking gold for Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) were Shelly Nichol and Theresa Niakrok, while Isaiah Patterk earned silver and Angela Misheralak, Kim Okalik, Charlene Okalik and Laura Oingonn claimed bronze.

In addition to the medal winners, Alexandra Rudd (prepared speech) and Lila Mai Adams (cooking) competed at the event.

Those who earn gold at the territorial level in Iqaluit have a chance to represent Nunavut at the National Skills Canada Competition in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., from May 20 to 23.

Top performers at the national event are selected to comprise Team Canada, which competes every second year at the World Skills competition. The next World Skills event is scheduled for London, England, in 2011.

Students from MUI have been competing at the territorial event for the past three years, with their numbers increasing each year.

MUI sent one student in 2008 (one medal) and six in 2009 (one medal), before sending nine competitors this year.

MUI's work experience co-ordinator, Kevin Bussey, said Special Kusugak of Rankin also took gold in post-secondary hairstyling.

He said Nichol will represent Nunavut at the national event, competing in workplace safety.

"Theresa (Niakrok) won gold in photography, which was a demonstration skill in Iqaluit this year," said Bussey.

"At this point, we're still not sure if she'll be competing in the nationals."

Bussey said this year's performance in Iqaluit was a real breakthrough for Rankin at the competition.

He said MUI, through its work-experience program, has been encouraging and promoting careers in the skilled trades for the past three years and those efforts seem to be paying off.

"This year, for the first time, all Grade 9 students are enrolled in workplace-safety classes, as well as first aid.

"In addition to receiving high school credits for the courses, they are also prerequisites for work experience and Nunavut Early Apprenticeship Training.

"We have a lot of interest from Grade 9 students in these programs, and they will be able to preregister at a student/parent meeting to be held at MUI this month.

"With all the job opportunities that await our graduates in skilled trades in Nunavut, we see this program as very important in preparing students for a meaningful career."