LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A partnership between four organizations in Fort Simpson is giving residents an opportunity to get some additional training or update their skills.

Ernest Tsetso cuts a tree into portions for firewood during the competency check portion of the level one chainsaw basics course that was offered in Fort Simpson from April 23 to 25. Tsetso was one of the people re-certifying his training. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Aware that a lot of people in the community needed certifications, Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN) organized a series of six courses starting with H2S Alive April 22, level one chainsaw basics between April 23 to 27, first aid and WHIMIS May 5 to 6 and fall protection and transportation of dangerous goods May 7. The courses are being offered through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS), said Tina Visser, LKFN's education and training manager.

Visser arranged a partnership with the Village of Fort Simpson, Nogha Enterprises Ltd. and the Nahanni National Park Reserve to fill the courses. Between the four groups, all of the seats were taken quickly, she said.

Visser is considering organizing another series of courses in the future to give more residents a chance to obtain, or renew, the certifications.

Ashton Peterson is taking all of the courses to get job experience. Peterson, who graduated from Thomas Simpson School in 2013, has taken first aid before, but the rest of the courses are new to him.

While taking a break from using a chainsaw April 24, Peterson said he was learning a lot during the level one chainsaw basics course. It was the first time he'd used a chainsaw.

"I like it," he said.

"It was pretty straight forward."

The course covers the minimum standards set out by the oil and gas industry for chainsaw work, said Rick Dubeau who taught the course in Fort Simpson. Dubeau had eight people taking the course for the first time from April 23 to 25, as well as some people re-certifying and was running a second session from April 25 to 27.

Participants learn about regulations, personal protective equipment and how to deal with trees once they are on the ground including bucking, limbing and slashing, as well as how to maintain a chainsaw. The course includes a written exam and a competency check.

"A lot of these guys are into learning," Dubeau said.

Having taught training courses for 10 years in the North, Dubeau said he's seen a marked improvement in safety awareness.