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ARVIAT
Twelve eager students began specialized training to earn a career in the growing exploration industry in the Kivalliq this past week.

John Main: Arviat economic development officer is confident course graduates will find employment.

The 12 are in the first Arviat Diamond Driller's Training (ADDT) Program.

Trainees will spend about one-third of their time in the classroom during the 10-week program, and the rest helping to operate a functioning diamond drill just outside the community.

Arviat Inuit assistant instructor Ludovic Onerk is helping prepare the trainees for the hard work ahead.

An experienced diamond driller, Onerk will ensure course content is explained in Inuktitut to increase trainee comprehension of key concepts.

Program partners include Agnico-Eagle Mines, Forage Orbit Garant and Boart Longyear, which have all committed to hiring program graduates on a priority basis.

Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) is providing a classroom, tools and student support, while the Hamlet of Arviat is providing a two-bay garage for course equipment.

Others lending their support are the Contaminants Remediation Training Organization of Canada, Government of Nunavut, Economic Development and Transportation, Kivalliq Mine Training Society, Northern College and the Kivalliq Inuit Association.

Arviat economic development officer John Main said there's a lot of excitement surrounding the new program.

He said expectations were high as the first trainees began their studies on Sept. 26.

"The development of this program came from the mining activity in the Kivalliq," said Main.

"Our mayor and council recognized this opportunity, and it grew through investigating possibilities with different authorities and talking a lot with those in the industry.

"Ontario's Northern College is delivering the program in partnership with NAC because it's a training institution that specializes in this type of program."

Main said he's confident trainees who do well will find employment.

He said there's a big demand for those skills, and the Hamlet of Arviat wants to see some of its residents earn the well-paying jobs becoming a surface-diamond-driller helper can provide.

After gaining experience as helpers, they can advance to diamond drillers and be qualified to work anywhere in the world.

"If they get through the course and show themselves to be competent, they won't have too much trouble finding employment.

"We received very positive feedback from companies in the industry as we were putting this together, and we really couldn't have got it off the ground without them.

"They're the reason we were looking at setting this up, and we've received great support from Agnico-Eagle and the two drilling companies (Forage Orbit Garant and Boart Longyear) from the very beginning of this process.

"When it came to getting others on-board, they stressed it's a great idea, there are jobs out there, and they will hire people if we can get them trained."

The first ADDT program was only open to residents of Arviat, with 30 applications being received.

A second course will commence in January of 2012, accepting applications from other Kivalliq communities.

Main said the GN, KIA and Kivalliq Mine Training Society have all been easy to work with in the initiative, with the training society also assisting with student recruitment and course delivery costs.

He said some tough decisions had to made when it was time to sit down with the 30 applications.

"A screening test had to be conducted to ensure we had the best candidates possible for this training program.

"It wasn't an easy process, but we're happy with the final selections made for the first program."

Main said no one wants to put added pressure on the 12 enrolled in the program, but everyone realizes how important it is for the training to get off to a good start.

He said the trainees realize how important it is for them to do well.

"We've tried to be really open with the students, in terms of letting them know how much work went into this and encouraging them to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them.

"They're looking beyond training that will just lead to a job, and looking at training that will lead to a career if they want it.

"Some of these guys worked seasonal, construction and exploration jobs.

"This is different because the opportunity for a career is actually there and they're up for it."

Main said he hopes to see the call for applications go out for the January program before the end of this month.

He said the planners are looking forward to hearing from potential students from across the region.

"We have the people here and we're intent on getting them trained and into jobs, and that goes for Arviat and the Kivalliq as a whole."

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