KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Norman Eecheck is a new voice promoting opportunities in the trades to high school students via a short video filmed recently by Skills Canada Nunavut staff.

Norman Eecheck of Rankin Inlet, who just completed his Red Seal for welding, meets with Skills Canada Nunavut's executive director Janis Devereaux at the Meadowbank mine site, late last month. - photo courtesy of Skills Canada Nunavut

Executive director Janis Devereaux and program co-ordinator Bibi Bilodeau, by invitation of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., visited the Meadowbank mine site Jan. 18 to 20. They were originally on a search for post-secondary students to participate in the Skills Canada competition to be held in Moncton, N.B., in June.

"It has teams from across Canada and, in the most recent years, we've had a lot of high school students from Nunavut but we haven't had post-secondary level students," said Bilodeau.

The Iqaluit-based office does work with the Family Services' Apprenticeship Unit and had a list of possible apprentices.

"But there are 17 at Agnico Eagle getting all of their training who weren't on the list, so we've never been in contact with them."

Bilodeau, who found potential participants for the national competition, says Agnico Eagle was very interested in what Skills Canada was doing because they hadn't really heard of the organization. Both the company and the non-profit thought they had the potential for a good collaboration.

"We were interested in the apprentices, they were interested in our promotion because we go to schools around Nunavut. We have reach and they have the program," said Bilodeau.

And that's how Eecheck, who had just returned with his Red Seal in welding, came to be interviewed for the new video that will be shown at schools.

"He had a lot of insight about how young Inuit could go about choosing a trade, the benefits of staying in school, and then if you graduate with a trade certificate, you have a lot of options, in terms of opening up your own business, staying in your community, getting more schooling. It's a pretty flexible certificate to have, instead of that standard of going to university," said Bilodeau.

This is what Eecheck had to say to the youth who will watch the video:

"Keep reading, keep studying, work hard and you will make it through. You may get homesick, but then you are done (your trade schooling) and it is the best feeling ever. You'll be able to travel all over and have the money to do what you want. That's all it is, really."

Eecheck studied in Medicine Hat, Alta. Agnico Eagle and a government assistance program covered all his supplies and equipment.

Kayla Parker of Baker Lake, an apprentice Culinary Level 1 student, was also interviewed.

"I started at Meadowbank cleaning dishes and making sandwiches and then moved on to cooking," she said, adding that what she loves about cooking is "making people smile and showing my work. My favourite things to make are pasta and lemon meringue pie."

Her advice to students is to "never give up because there is always a way and someone to help you. No matter what, get up and get dressed."

Parker started out at the Arctic College Trades School in Rankin, in the Pre-Trades Program.

"Then I will go to Calgary for culinary school, then come back here (to Meadowbank) to work."

Agnico Eagle's program, which combines the on-the-job learning and in-school instruction, offers apprentices the opportunity to challenge their journeyman and Red Seal exams.

The company currently offers the program for seven different trades, including cook, carpenter, millwright, electrician, heavy duty equipment technician, welder and plumber.

"Skills are still seen as second-rate," said Bilodeau, adding university was always a chore for her. It's her trade that made her happy.

Plus, she says, "It's really the only way to get a stable job for life."

As for Parker, she hopes to one day open a business in Baker Lake.

"A little bake shop," she said.

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