KIMMIRUT/LAKE HARBOUR - Kimmirut's Johnny Itulu could very well become the first Inuk ship captain.

Nuyalia Davidee lines up shrimp during an offshore shrimp processing course he took with the Nunavut Fisheries Training Consortium this fall. - photo courtesy of the Nunavut Fisheries Training Consortium

"It would be the greatest opportunity and it would be one big achievement," said the 24-year-old, currently taking his fishing master fourth class ticket with the Nunavut Fisheries Training Consortium.

The consortium has had a busy fall with training and courses being held across the territory and they show no signs of slowing down for 2011.

The not-for-profit organization was created in 2005 to provide training opportunities to Nunavut beneficiaries interested in pursuing a career in the fishing industry.

The training Itulu is enrolled in is being offered for the first time. The course began in September and will finish in March. Seven students are learning about chart work, navigation and simulated electronic navigation.

A ticket of this level is required to work on boats 45 to 65 feet in length (13.7 to 19.8 metres) such as those used this summer in Cumberland Sound in the test fishery.

Itulu has completed about half the course already. He said the focus, so far, has been on learning how to navigate and reading the weather.

"It can change anytime, so it's really difficult. You really have to know what you're doing to be in the wheelhouse as a captain," he said.

He began taking training with the consortium in 2005 with the pre-sea trawl worker course and has worked his way up.

In total, Itulu has about three years of sea time and he has worked off the coast of Baffin Island near Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River. The biggest boat he said he worked on was 200 feet (60.9 metres).

The consortium also began a bridge watch course in December and it too will run until March.

Project officer Michael Walsh said the 10 students enrolled in this course already have some sea time under their belts.

"On every boat you need to have a certain number of bridge watch rated crew members," he said.

This winter, Walsh said the consortium is planning to offer the small vessel operator proficiency course in Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet and Taloyoak.

The eight-day course includes basic safety training, first aid and a radio operator's component among other things.

Training for processing workers was also recently done in Cambridge Bay and Pangnirtung.

"We are trying to develop some skills so they can move up to factory positions," said Walsh.

With more courses being offered and the potential of an inshore fishery in the territory, he said the consortium will continue to offer more courses.

"People want to advance and we have to keep developing the industry."

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