Better by the day
Youth have come a long way in readiness program, says group leader
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, October 23, 2013
REPULSE BAY
The 15 youths in a work readiness program in Repulse Bay are taking full advantage of the opportunity they've been given.
Benjamin Niptayuk, Bobby Tinashlu, KJ Kusugak and Pierre Kipsigak, front to back, build garbage bins during a work readiness training program in Repulse Bay this past week. - photo courtesy of Katelyn Tatty |
The program is a partnership of the Kivalliq Mine Training Society and the Hamlet of Repulse Bay.
Supervisor Pio Kopak said when the program began, many of the youth couldn't measure or use a saw.
He said there was a lot of improvement in just one short week.
"They learn quickly once they're confident," said Kopak.
"This is a course, even at only eight weeks, that helps prepare you for a job."
Kopak has seven youths in his group, while fellow group leader Jimmy Tegumiar has eight.
Kopak said he and Tegumiar teach each youth separately as much as they can.
He said some youth required little supervision once they understood the basics.
"About two weeks in, I had one student work alone to build a bin and he did well.
"That's really coming a long way in just two weeks."
Kopak's group had the lone female in the program, Michelle Kringayark.
He said once she got past her nervousness, she picked things up in a hurry.
"Michelle did well. She kept improving and learned how to use a skill saw, mitre saw, measuring tape and cordless drill.
"She was really scared of the saw the first day, but I showed her how and kept a close eye on her.
"She's OK now using both the skill saw and the mitre saw."
Kopak said the two groups had 78 bins completed and were trying to build more.
He said they were badly needed in Repulse.
"It's good to have bins with lids on them now.
"I heard people on CB radio saying they were happy to have bins like these, and they're a lot better than the old 45-gallon drums.
"If we can, I'd like to fill the whole town with them.
"This is a good program and the students are happy they took it."
