Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Education Week, I would like to draw attention to an important tool that is helping many Northerners receive important trades training in smaller communities. I’m talking about Aurora College’s Mobile Trades Training Lab in the Beaufort-Delta.
In 2008, the college worked with Education, Culture and Employment, the Government of Canada and partners in aboriginal governments and industry to secure the lab. It offers a 900 square foot shop that is fully self-contained with its own forced air oil furnace heating and power generators. It also comes equipped with an overhead crane for mechanics training and a rear car lift that allows students to bring light vehicles into the shop.
This unit allows Aurora College to deliver quality trades training in smaller communities in the Beaufort-Delta region, training that wouldn’t be possible due to limited infrastructure.
In 2008 and 2009, the lab facilitated delivery of introductory carpentry and introduction to plumbing and gas-fitting in Inuvik. These programs provided participants with entry-level skills so they can gain meaningful employment and go on to pursue apprenticeship opportunities.
The lab also brought the Career Technology Studies Construction Training Program to Fort McPherson in 2009. Students learned the basics of residential framing and how to safely use tools and different construction materials by building four storage sheds for use in the community. This program is part of the Success Project that the \
Tetlit Gwich’in Council initiated so residents can gain personal management skills, work experience, math and science upgrading, wellness training, and, in this case, basic construction training.
In addition, the lab allowed the Building Trades Helper Program to go to Tuktoyaktuk in 2009, teaching students the basics of construction. The project provided a real-world work environment where students were able to learn while working on an actual housing project assisting a journeyman to build two houses. The class also built three sheds which were donated to the local minor hockey association for a raffle. All proceeds went towards purchasing hockey equipment for local kids.
Mr. Speaker, this year the lab is facilitating the Building Trades Helper Program in Aklavik. As part of the training, the class is doing an interior retrofit of a local housing unit that was damaged by fire. This provides students the opportunity to learn wall framing and assist with plumbing and electrical rough-in work. At the end of the program, students will be more skilled and able to help tradespeople on construction sites.
I am very happy that the Mobile Trades Training Lab is helping people to receive training in their own community so they can enter fulfilling careers here in the North. I want to thank Aurora College and our many partners who made the lab and this training possible. These include our partners at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Northern Transportation Company Limited, the Building Inuvialuit Potential Society, the Tetlit Gwich’in Council and our partners in industry. I also want to thank all the instructors and students who are making these programs so successful. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
