News Releases
Excellent Year for NWT Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Programs
YELLOWKNIFE (February 3, 2010) – Apprentices, tradespersons and occupational certification recipients throughout the Northwest Territories (NWT) are celebrating Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Week (AOC Week) from February 1st – 5th. This year, there is good cause to celebrate: going into 2010, there were 478 NWT residents registered in apprenticeship, trades and occupational certification programs throughout the territory, more than ever before.
AOC Week is a celebration of NWT apprentices, tradespersons and those pursuing occupational certification and their contributions to the NWT. During ceremonies taking place across the territory this year, 62 NWT residents will graduate as certified journeypersons, while individuals who received top marks in their areas will be recognized for their achievements.
“I want to congratulate all of our apprentices for their accomplishments, and thank our partners at Aurora College, in the business community, and in the construction industry for the great training they provide,” said Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty. “Apprenticeship and occupational certification is an important building block in the future of the Northwest Territories. With increasing resource development and infrastructure projects, our territory needs these kinds of skilled workers.”
“Through the occupational certification program, community government staff members are becoming certified in their fields without having to leave their home community or their job,” said Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA). “I would like extend my congratulations to all our award recipients, and I would also like to thank community governments, the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories and the Northwest Territories Association of Communities for supporting and promoting occupational certification at the community level.”
Graduation and award ceremonies for the South Slave Region are being held during AOC Week, with Fort Smith holding theirs today (February 3rd) at noon in the Breynat Hall cafeteria. Hay River is holding their ceremony on Thursday, February 4th at 11am in the ECE Service Centre. Graduation and award ceremonies in the North Slave Region are planned for March. MACA occupational certification presentations have been planned to coincide with AOC Week.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to Maximizing Opportunities for residents by investing in education and training programs to improve the skills of individuals living and working in the NWT.
For more information, please contact:
Rebecca Alty
Communications/Website Advisor
Municipal and Community Affairs
Tel: (867) 920-3092
Kevin Allerston
Public Affairs Officer
Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-3059
MACA Occupational Certification Top Mark Award and Honour Roll Recipients:
Top Mark Award:
Dennis Althouse, Community Works Foreman, City of Yellowknife
Kim Tybring, Recreation Facility Operator (Curling Rinks), Town of Hay River
Jesse Foote, Recreation Facility Operator (Skating Rinks), Fort Smith
Honour Roll:
Dennis Althouse, Community Works Foreman, City of Yellowknife
Kim Tybring, Recreation Facility Operator (Curling Rinks), Town of Hay River
Jesse Foote, Recreation Facility Operator (Skating Rinks), Fort Smith
Richard Campbell, Community Works Foreman, Town of Inuvik
Shawn Gillis, Recreation Facility Operator (Skating Rinks), Village of Fort Simpson
Top Graduating Apprentice and Special Award Recipients:
Top Graduating Apprentice:
Christopher Milne - Heavy Duty Equipment Technician from Hay River
Ryfan Electric - Keith Houghton Memorial Award:
Shane Daniels – Electrician from Fort Smith
BHP Billiton - Karl Meyer Memorial Award:
Juan Guerrero – Heavy Duty Equipment Technician from Yellowknife
JSL Mechanical Award – Plumber:
William Brewer - Plumber / Gasfitter from Yellowknife
JSL Mechanical Award – Welder:
Geza Rosta - Welder from Yellowknife