Thank you, Madam Speaker. November 1st to 8th is National Skilled Trades and Technology Week, a Canada-wide event that promotes and increases awareness of the opportunities within the skilled trades and the fields of technology.
Skilled trades and technology encompass a vast array of specialties. Carpenters, electricians, hairdressers, water monitors, and supply-chain managers are all examples of trades that we see in our own northern communities. Some trades can start in high school or as on-the-job training, but all trades at some point require some degree of specialized training or education. As a territory built by the hands of tradespeople in support of our resource-extraction sector, occupations that support this industry must be of utmost importance for any of our northern academic institutions. The Northwest Territories' future polytechnic university must incorporate northern economic considerations when developing its curriculum as there must be programming for northern students that is relevant to the demands of our northern workforce.
As a woman in engineering, it is particularly important to me to see women in the North taking on roles in skilled trades and technology. It is important for young people to know that all occupational fields are open to everyone. It is my hope that our northern university will incorporate a goal towards diversity in all of its work, towards encouraging more women, as well as Indigenous students, to enter post-secondary studies.
This year, physically distant and virtual events will recognize and celebrate the achievements of NWT apprenticeship, trades, and occupational certifications. I encourage all Northwest Territories residents to participate in virtual events to learn more or to provide mentorship about careers in skilled trades and technology. I would like to celebrate all individuals in the North who occupy skilled trades and technology roles in their day-to-day work. Your work is important, and your hands are building a strong future for our North. I will have questions unrelated to my topic later today. Thank you.