Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation, YMTA and College team up for plumbing and heating program

Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation (LSCFN), Yukon College and the Yukon Mine Training Association (YMTA) are teaming up to deliver an Essential Skills: Introduction to Plumbing and Heating program in Carmacks this Fall.

The College’s Mobile Trades Training Trailer will be stationed at the Carmacks community campus for the program. Students will also obtain hands-on experience through working on community houses and assisting with the current retro-fit of the LSCFN government building.
“This is a high priority of the Chief and Council, to use our infrastructure upgrades to greatly add to LSCFN citizen training, apprenticeship and employment opportunities in Carmacks,” said LSCFN Chief Eric Fairclough. “And we appreciate Yukon College and YMTA’s enthusiasm to work closely with our government to make this happen.”

“Hands-on work is where the students really see the practical application of what they learn in the classroom. We are fortunate that our partner, Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation has some excellent opportunities for students to learn and test their skills during this program,” said Shelagh Rowles, Executive Director, Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining at Yukon College.

The program will cover basic plumbing and heating maintenance and installation, as well as standard work and safety certifications, and career coaching to help students plan an educational and professional pathway.

The 10-week program begins October 5. There 10 spaces in the program with four reserved for current employees of LSCFN.

The Mobile Trades Training Trailer has provided training to students in Dawson City, Pelly Crossing and Ross River since being launched in December 2013. The 53-foot-long trailer can be equipped for classes in welding, electrical, millwright, heavy equipment technician, and piping, with an onboard diesel generator to provide power for heating, lighting, equipment and wireless Internet to the 1,048 square feet of instructional space. Funding for the $1.8 million trailer purchase by the College was provided by Yukon Education and CanNor.