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Drilling towards success
First group graduates from partnership program in Arviat

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, December 21, 2011

ARVIAT
The first group of trainees graduated from the Arviat Diamond Driller's Program earlier this month.

NNSL photo/graphic

The first graduates from the Arviat Diamond Driller's Program are Charlie Jr. Malla, Kelly Kigusiutnar, Keith Angalik, Matthew Issumatarjuak, Samuel Ivu and Andy Anowtalik, back row from left, and David Tassiuk, Gary Jr. King, Lucien Kabvitok, Johnny Palvialok and Sandy Kritaqliluk, front row from left. - photo courtesy of the Hamlet of Arviat

Eleven trainees completed the 10-week course, with only one of the original 12 not finishing the program.

Arviat economic development officer John Main said there was a lot of pride in the grads during the graduation ceremony, as well as among family members at the event.

He said there was also thankfulness expressed for the course instructors and partnership organizations during the ceremony.

"We're pleased with the graduates, who are really a stand-up group of guys, and there's a lot of optimism moving forward," said Main.

"They put a lot of energy and effort into getting the most out of this program.

"The guys are itching to get on the job site and apply what they've learned."

The Arviat Diamond Driller's Program (ADDP) is a partnership between the Hamlet of Arviat and industry partners Agnico-Eagle Mines, Forage Orbit Garant and Boart Longyear.

The ADDP received funding from the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, Kivalliq Inuit Association and the federal Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program.

Nunavut Arctic College and Northern College are the co-operating educational institutions, while the Hamlet of Arviat co-ordinates activities on the ground and facilitated the creation of the program.

Main said the ADDP has assurances from the two drilling companies -- Forage Orbit Garant and Boart Longyear -- that graduates will be in demand.

He said the two companies are looking at arranging interviews, which could lead to some graduates being hired as early as January.

"We weren't planning to train these guys unless there were jobs available.

"That's why we wanted those assurances before we set up the program."

Main said all 11 graduates are the type of people who will travel to work.

He said while there may be some rough spots along the way, ensuring they weren't adverse to travelling was part of the recruitment process.

"We had 33 applicants for 12 spots in our first program, and our partner organizations tried to make sure we had the best possible candidates in those seats.

"There's no point in training someone if they're not willing to leave town and actually work."

A second ADDP set to begin this coming February also has 12 seats available.

Main said about 35 people from across the Kivalliq have applied for the course.

He said the partnership groups are getting ready to finalize the list of 12 accepted into the program.

"That's a tough process with so much interest in the program, but Arctic College has established ways to evaluate the candidates.

"We're looking at them objectively to determine who will benefit the most."

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