LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Apprentices from across the Deh Cho came together with their journey-persons and career development officers for a lunchtime celebration to recognize the successes of three of their own on Oct. 1.

Apprentices who made the honour roll this year include William Blyth, left, Michelle Leger and Adrian Tremblay. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Second-level electrical apprentices William Blyth, Michelle Leger and Adrian Tremblay made the honour roll for their breakthroughs in the field of electrical engineering during the event, held at the Education Building in Fort Simpson.

The Deh Cho currently has 15 registered apprentices, nine of whom are actively employed. Aside from the honour roll apprentices, these include Anthony Roche, Randy Horesay, Steven Thomas, Francis Isaiah-Tanche, Robert Harold and Joseph Landry.

Career development officer Tanya Klassen said the apprenticeship program, under the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, promotes the Northwest Territories Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certificate.

"The apprenticeship program enables employees to receive on-the-job training and technical training at the college," she said.

As for apprentices themselves, Klassen said that Leger receiving honour roll is a win for females in the trades.

"There are more women out there who want to be in the trades but feel it is very challenging," she said. "They don't know how to overcome those barriers."

Leger is the only female apprentice in the Deh Cho.

A second-level electrician with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NWTPC), Leger has been training under journeyman Boyd Mallaley and will soon be under the direct supervision of journeyman Derek Blake.

She has been working with the NWTPC ever since pursuing electrical work, an effort she began in January 2014.

She has more than two years of apprenticeship left before she can qualify to become a journeyman.

Leger said she has run up against some of the challenges women typically face, including not being taken seriously by co-workers and community members.

"At first, I would get upset," she said. "But then I learned that their point of view isn't the truth, and if I kept my head down and did my job, I would show them.

"(The challenges) go away when you prove you're a good worker and that you're capable of doing the job. Being a woman in the trades is not as scary as it's made out to be."

Electrical work is what initially brought Leger to the NWT.

She describes her journey as something she "fell into" - years ago, when she was considering owning a house, she decided she would become an electrician so she could do all the electrical work herself.

"I've always liked working with my hands," she said.

Klassen said the honour roll luncheon is held each year and will continue to be held as long as apprentices make the honour roll.

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