Classroom Chat – January 19th
Last winter, Chalo School offered a Carpentry Level 1 program. It was a NLC accredited program, and was Industry Training Authority (ITA) approved. ITA is the body responsible for all trades training and documentation in the province – things like welding, plumbing, and instrumentation.
The course was a combination of academic work (mostly math and drafting) along with practical work. Warren Gairdner, a dual credit student, said that of all the courses, the blueprint reading was the most challenging but that it was good to get the experience.
They started with demolition of a building interior; the “green tank” was an old building used for storage since the new lagoon system was installed.
Kurtus Dennis, another dual credit student, said he enjoyed the demolition of the building interior the most. The “green tank” is now known as the Chalo Trades Centre. Students did all the work in the building except the electrical and plumbing and were supervised by their journeyman carpentry instructor.
They created 1,600 square feet of workshop space and two classrooms.
Michael Badine said that to be successful, students needed a really good grasp of math. Michael was one of the six students who graduated from the program earning his Level 1 Carpentry as well as elective credits for high school. Interestingly, half of the class were female and the class included a non-Aboriginal student who didn’t want to leave town to accomplish his goal of starting his Carpenter’s apprenticeship.
Last year, the Community Education Authority at Fort Nelson First Nation started the carpentry program to help students of the nation to have opportunities besides academics. They saw a need for more carpenters in the area. The Nation has plans to expand their housing and build more infrastructure. Chalo School partnered with Northeast Native Advancement Society, NEASAP, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and hired Northern Lights College to deliver the program.
Level 2 training will begin in February in partnership with Northern Lights College and are seeking additional community or industry partners to be involved in this exciting venture. NLC recognises the need for on-site programs like this. Next fall, we will have room for three dual credit students for another intake of Level 1.
Although this program was designed for band members, they are open to applications from others for upcoming sessions. For further information, please contact Chalo School.
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English 10
First Peoples class.
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