Mr. Speaker, this Legislative Assembly has placed a priority on building community human resource capacity with an emphasis on trades and entrepreneurial skills. February 4 through 8 is Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Week, a time when we encourage Northerners to consider careers in trades and occupations and to celebrate the successes of apprentices and occupational workers in the Northwest Territories.

In 2006-2007 the Northwest Territories certified 15 people in designated occupations; 77 Northerners achieved journeyperson status, and 50 of these individuals achieved their red seal, inter-provincial status.

This year there has also been increasing success in pre-employment programs, such as the Warehouse Technician, Oil and Gas, Mineral Processing Operators Training, Environmental Monitor, Underground Miner and the Building Trades Helper programs. These programs are offered through Aurora College, in partnership with the Mine Training Society, Aboriginal Futures, and Northern industry. These programs are an important first step in drawing Northerners into careers in trades and occupations.

Throughout the month of February regional Education, Culture and Employment offices across the North will be hosting Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Award ceremonies. Altogether 41 awards of excellence will be presented to the candidates who have shown a commitment to excellence during training in their respective trade or occupation.

With the demand for skilled workers growing across the Territories, we recognize that employers, our partners in industry, schools and Aurora College are key to the development of these workers. Without our partners’ participation, delivering trades

and occupational certification programs would not be possible. I would like to extend my thanks to all of our partners who gave their time and energy for training apprentices across the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all members to join me in extending congratulations to all of the many new certified trades people and their employers as well as to those who are continuing their training.

Mahsi cho.