Mr. Speaker, NWT residents will have access to advanced training for the oil and gas industry as the result of an agreement to establish a permanent training site in the Northwest Territories. This is a cooperative venture involving a number of groups that have an interest in developing the gas reserves in the Northwest Territories. The plan was developed by industry and Aurora College in cooperation with aboriginal claimant groups, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Mr. Speaker, this opportunity is possible because of the GNWT's commitment to Maximizing Northern Employment. We are determined to give Northerners the opportunity to advance beyond entry-level jobs in the oil and gas industry. This program will provide the enhanced level of training for people to access skilled oil and gas positions. It will be delivered in the Sahtu, Beaufort Delta, Deh Cho and South Slave regions. Additional training-on-the-job subsidies will be made available to employers.

Mr. Speaker, the centrepiece of this exciting new training initiative is a plan to train drilling rig floorhands at a permanent training site to be developed near the town of Inuvik. This summer, Aurora College, using instructors certified by the Petroleum Industry Training Service in Alberta, will begin training floorhands on a drilling rig supplied by Akita Drilling.

The projects will create numerous jobs for Northerners and establish a northern infrastructure for future training in the oil and gas sector in such areas as drill rig floorhands, kitchen helper and camp attendant, truck training and drill sump research.

I should say, Mr. Speaker, for those who may be unfamiliar with the terminology, that a floorhand is a member of a drilling crew that also includes tool pushers, drillers, derrick men and motormen. Drilling companies usually promote from within. Floorhands are often groomed to move into more serious positions in the drilling rig operation. So while some individuals may be satisfied with the rewards of being a good floorhand, opportunities do exist for Northerners with the motivation, aptitude, leadership and teamwork skills to move from floorhand into a position requiring additional skills and training.

The training program lasts twelve days -- six in the classroom with a heavy emphasis on safety and six days on the rig itself working 12-hour shifts. This training is scheduled to run from July 30 to August 22. It is modeled on a similar program delivered by the Petroleum Industry Training Service for aboriginal trainees in British Columbia.

Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to announce this training and research initiative. This program, developed in partnership, will benefit both employers and potential employees in the NWT. That is exactly what maximizing northern employment is meant to be. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause