Woodworking class teaches new skills
Credits go toward high school graduation
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, November 3, 2016
INUVIK
Not all students might see the relevance of algebra to their daily life, but the value of experience with power tools is lost on no one.
Jarvis Mitchell smiles while working on his project. East Three Secondary School's woodworking class offers students a chance to earn high school credits and develop valuable trade skills. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo
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"All across the Northwest Territories, there's a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople," said East Three Secondary School woodworking instructor Alex Scharf.
"This is an area where students often excel in learning about these skills because they realize the practical nature of them. They realize the relevance of them. Sometimes they may not realize the relevance of algebra to their life, but they can see the relevance of woodworking skills and ability to use tools skillfully."
Scharf has been in the North for five years, and over and over again, he said he sees students buy into the trades program because they see the benefit of learning those skills.
"Students that might be struggling in other areas, not because they are in any way less capable, it's just that the interest level is not there," he said.
"Interest and commitment to the task is critical for getting a good job doing anything, in any area, academically or in trades-related courses."
Cody Greenland is one of about 20 students in Scharf's Grade 10-12 woodworking class, which offers students credits toward high school graduation. Another 20 or so students at the junior high level take industrial arts.
"I started this three classes ago probably," said Greenland, working on his Adirondack chair.
"I like this class."
After this class, students who graduate high school might move onto more intensive trades and technical programs at Aurora College or down south.
Students started the year building furniture, step stools and chairs, and the projects will get more advanced as the year goes on.
"Those kind of (skills) are real to the students and that's why they participate better," said Scharf.
