Powered Up
The Explorer Hotel, Yellowknife was once again the site for the annual Skills Canada NWT/Nunavut Power Up Youth Conferences. 160 Grade 8's participated in the Young Women's Conference on Monday, January 31 st and 150 Grade 8's “fell in love” with trades and technologies at the Young Men's Conference on Valentine's Day, February 14 th . These students originated from throughout the north, some from as far away as Gjoa Haven, Nunavut.
Click here to see photos from the events
Each conference day, 40 expert mentors represented careers in trades and technology sectors and non-traditional occupations. These mentors volunteered their valued time and energy to share their stories and expertise with the students, putting a face to the name of careers such as aircraft maintenance, graphic design, diamond polishing, and electrical wiring – just to name a few. The conference activities included round table discussions with mentors as well as participation in interactive, hands-on workshops at 22 different sites throughout Yellowknife.
“As a society, we are faced with a human resource paradox: while it is becoming increasingly difficult for industry to secure skilled workers, youth unemployment in Canada is more than double the national average,” explained Guy Barnable, Executive Director of Skills Canada NWT/Nunavut. “The Power Up Conferences are an opportunity to put career opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies on the radar screen for these young people. If they are interested in one of these careers, they will be better equipped to select high school courses that will lead them to their desired destination.”
For a fourth year, the conferences were a hit with the young women and men.
Victoria Merritt of Mildred Hall School described the conference as “a unique opportunity to explore the careers I am interested in… and some I had not even considered. Thanks to all the wonderful mentors who taught me so much.”.
Charlie Gargan of Thomas Simpson School, Fort Simpson described the YWC as “a once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed.”.
Andrew Jossa of William MacDonald School described the conference as “one of the most productive out-of-school experiences I have ever had.”.
Percy Ikuallaq of Qiqiktaq School in Gjoa Haven said “It was enjoyable and I got to meet lots of new people.”.
Thanks to the contributions of its core sponsors, event sponsors, expert mentors, and dedicated volunteers, Skills Canada NWT/Nunavut's Power Up Conferences continue to empower the next generation of northerners.
Thanks to our Program Sponsors as well as the following community and youth-minded Event Sponsors:
| BHP Billiton |
Northwestel |
| DeBeers Canada |
Workers' Compensation Board of the NWT and Nunavut |
| Diavik Diamond Mines |
Nuna Logistics |
| Public Service Commission, Government of Canada |
First Air |
| NAPEGG |
Yellowknife Elks 314 |
| The Explorer Hotel |
|
Thanks to our wonderful expert mentors and volunteers:
| Sandi Dowdall & Workers' Compensation Board NT/NU |
Ken Kanwal |
| Helen Butler, Jill Waitier, & BHP Billiton |
Mary Rowe |
| Anne Marie Nitsiza, Leroy Betsina, Ian Meyers, & Diavik Diamond Mines |
Colleen Proctor |
| Sarah Fountain, Trevor Mogg, & DeBeers Mining |
Don Morrison |
| Elisa Chandler, Vince Halushka, and Aurora College |
Bob Gustafson |
| Mike Hunter & Transwest Mining Systems |
Mike McCloskey |
| Carol Nychka & Northwestel |
Earle Gaetz |
| Nao Ito, Barry Van Der Keer, & The Explorer Hotel |
Mike Yakabuski |
| Bob Hucaluck & Nuna Logistics |
Joel Campbell |
| Angela Morris, Hooman Ebrahimi, & Arctic Sunwest Charters |
Kate Bruce |
| Norby Gerstel & Finning Canada |
Greg Skauge & Sir John Franklin High School |
| Ken Morrison, Daryl Key, & RCMP Yellowknife Detachment |
Sandy Lee & Robert Hawkins – MLAs |
| Steve Freake & Outcrop Communications |
Trevor Weir & BHP Billiton |
| Elaine Carr, John Schnell, James Klassen, & AD Williams Engineering Inc |
Mandy Lyons |
| Claudia Parker, Alan Cook, & Yellowknife Catholic Schools |
Chris MacLean |
| Charmaine Richards, Brad Brown, & Stanton Eye Clinic |
Pierre Berube |
| Ruth Rolfe, Ponchit Santos, & St. John Ambulance |
Stacy Ogilvie, Kim Poulter, & First Air |
| Steve Payne, Maggie Butz, & Essentials 98 |
Sarah Hunt & I&D Management |
| Kellie Mitchell, Craig Halifax, & Yellowknife Fire Department |
Glenda Padillo |
| Susan Huvenaars, Tracey Ward, & St. Pat's High School |
Vivian Gustafson |
| Darren Fraser, Todd Fraser, & Ryfan Electric |
Mark Plouffe |
| Rares Ungureanu, RareSdesign, & Tamarack Computers |
Ann Kall |
| Tracy Hillis, Rob Gau, Janice Ziemann, & RWED |
Linda Louie |
| Mike Handley, Matt Finnamore, & Buffalo School of Aviation |
Helen Warren |
| Jeremy Studney & Buffalo School of Aviation |
Barb Kardash |
| Linda Bermudez, Alaina Botham, & Buffalo School of Aviation |
Anna Case |
| Cindy Tom, Marsha Argue, & NWT Status of Women |
Catherine Hritzuk |
| Master Cpl Sandie Fischer, Cpl Nefertiti Lang, & CFB Yellowknife |
Margaret Purdy |
| Capt Frank Bird & CFB Yellowknife |
Zenia Kalyn |
| Capt Steve McLean, Cpl Tim Peebles, & CFB Yellowknife |
Mike Soloy |
| Marianne Wasylycia & Therapeutic Massage Clinic |
Dan Round |
| Warren Parsons & Department of Fisheries and Oceans |
Amrik Kanwal |
| Melanie Hopkins, Chris Hansen, & Air Tindi |
Bruce Hanna |
| Jan Fullerton & Cold Mountain Computing |
Joanne McGrath |
| Bill Aho & Central Mechanical Systems |
Nico Forster |
| Jane Hare & Stanton Memorial Hospital |
Kelley Merilees-Keppel |
| Sarah Dando & IEG Environmental |
Rhonda Nicklen |
| Mike Broussard & GAP Electric |
Sherry Lovely |
| Chad Snider & Arslanian Cutting Works |
|
| Leslie Bader Massage |
|
2004 Power Up Youth Conferences