Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the years, students in engineering have found considerable support from the Department of Public Works and Services. I would like to tell you about two of the ways my department encourages these students.
At the junior high level, Public Works and Services and Transportation presents awards to the best math and science students in each school. These awards show students that math and science are important.
Among high school students, we want to increase awareness of the career possibilities in engineering. This is the eleventh year for the program called Introduction to Engineering, Architecture and Computer Careers. Over the years, 186 students have taken part in the program. This year 57 students applied for the program. Twenty were chosen - eight students from Nunavut and 12 from the west. Seven of the 20 students are young women. Twelve of the students are aboriginal. We especially want to encourage these two groups to pursue engineering careers.
The summer program includes an orientation week in Yellowknife. For Nunavut students, there is an orientation week in Iqaluit. This is followed by a project in the student's home community with assistance and supervision from a government employee or sometimes from an engineer from a private company. At the end of the six-week program, the student makes a written report and an oral presentation on the project. The summer program helps these students make education and career choices. Almost 70 percent of the students in the summer program go on to post-secondary education.
Public Works and Services is not the only government agency to encourage engineering careers for northerners. The Housing Corporation, Municipal and Community Affairs and my Department of Transportation are also partners in these programs. I feel this is a good example of how we can work together to encourage northern students and eventually to fill jobs with NWT residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause