How exposing high school students to a career in the trades can offer more job opportunities, higher wages and personal freedom

Agnico Eagle’s Nunavut operations provide extensive job opportunities for skilled tradespeople to deliver essential products and services to our sites – everything from cooks and carpenters to plumbers, electricians, millwrights and welders.

We also offer local Inuit an opportunity to be trained in the trade of their choice. Our popular Pre-Trade and Apprenticeship Program combines on-the-job learning and in-school technical training to enhance employment readiness. By the end of the program, each apprentice is able to take their Certificate of Qualification (COQ) Journeyman and Red Seal exams. This certification allows them to reach the highest position available in their selected career and grants them interprovincial recognition in their trade.

Our vision is to one day have our Nunavut mines managed by Nunavummiut. Therefore, we believe that exposing high school students to the benefits of a career in skilled trades is another opportunity to achieve our ambitious hiring goals.

Agnico Eagle is now in its sixth year of supporting Trades Awareness, Skills and Knowledge (TASK) week at Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School (JASS) in Baker Lake, Nunavut. TASK week, held in March, is a partnership between Agnico Eagle and the school. This year, two Inuit instructors and one Inuit apprentice from Agnico Eagle’s nearby Meadowbank Mine helped teach 70 Grade 10, 11 and 12 students courses in the trades – specifically in mechanics, electrical and plumbing. Additionally, first aid instruction and hairdressing classes were provided by one of our contractors while another employee provided training in the culinary arts. A new option in this year’s event was focused on a cultural trade, specifically, teaching traditional sewing. Students who successfully complete the full week earn a school credit toward their high school diploma.

The goal of TASK week is to motivate the students to think about what they want to do after graduation, with trade skills providing them with the freedom and opportunities to travel and enjoy a satisfying career and a better life for their families.

According to Benjamin Kusugak, a Red Seal journeyman plumber at Meadowbank, and one of Agnico Eagle’s TASK week instructors, it is the hands-on experience that really engages and inspires the students.

“As soon as the tools were in their hands, the students were with me 100%. I showed them how to measure and “rough in” a bathroom with a vanity sink, toilet, bathtub and shower. Then we put in the water lines, vent pipes and all the drainage that goes with it. It is so rewarding when you can stand back and look at what you’ve built.”

Benjamin is passionate about helping kids and encouraging them to get into the trades.

“I am not sure the students had ever considered the trades until TASK week. I tried to impress upon them that with a trade, you can write your own ticket. A program like this gives the kids a different outlook for the future. I enjoyed teaching them what they need to know to succeed.”

One of Benjamin’s students, Ryan Aksawnee, appreciated Benjamin’s guidance and words of advice. “Benjamin told me that while most jobs are not around forever, with a trade you can go anywhere and do anything – you can control your future. I would encourage others to try TASK week because it’s good to learn something new. I am considering going to ‘trades school’ for plumbing sometime after I graduate.”

As part of Agnico Eagle’s Pre-Trade and Apprenticeship Program, there are currently 4 pre-apprentices, 11 active apprentices and 6 graduates of the program working across our Nunavut Operations. ““We will continue to support TASK week as well as actively looking to expand it for the benefit of other Kivalliq communities. We ultimately want to expose these youths to the potential opportunities in the trades and encourage them to continue their education.” Patrick Roy, External Affairs, Training and Communication Regional Superintendent.