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Mr. Speaker, skilled tradespeople are needed everywhere, now more than ever. Apprentices and Journeypersons are a vital part of our economy. They literally keep the wheels turning, buildings standing, water flowing and the lights on.

These careers offer good pay, advancement opportunities, mobility and lifelong learning.  Becoming a tradesperson means taking charge of your future and aligning your interests and skills with a rewarding career. Getting there requires certification, and the Government of the Northwest Territories is here to provide comprehensive support. We offer career planning, help with applications, help with preparing for trade entrance exams, financial support during technical training and educational support at every stage of an apprenticeship.

In high school, students can jump into their future through the Schools North Apprenticeship Program, or SNAP. Through this program, students explore a trade, gain work experience, get paid and earn high school credits, all while completing their high school education. It is a chance to see if a trade is the right fit and to start building a solid foundation for their future career.  This program could not be successful without the engagement of northern employers who take on SNAP students and apprentices, and we are always looking for more.

Career Development Officers are also there to support with study skills, access to educational materials and help with the paperwork for technical training financial assistance. They offer personalized support to anyone interested in pursuing a trades career. They connect residents with resources for educational assessments, help with apprenticeship and technical training applications and help understand the path to graduation.

Mr. Speaker, we have recently announced a two-year extension to the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification Strategy. This extension builds on our success in four important areas: helping people receive training; supporting them in finding work; growing the workforce through partnerships; and making informed decisions with the right information about the job market.

Mr. Speaker, National Skilled Trade and Technology Week is held in early November each year. It is a time to raise awareness of the career opportunities in the trades and celebrate NWT apprentices and journeypersons who have successfully completed their training. Every year, awards are presented for outstanding achievements, highlighting NWT's exceptional talent. This year, we are celebrating 33 new journeypersons and 20 Top Mark apprentices. These individuals come from every region of the NWT and represent 15 different trades and occupations. These apprentices and journeypersons will have a real impact on their communities. Their skills guarantee that lights go on, roofs go over our heads, plumbing works, heating systems operate, and roads are built.

Mr. Speaker, I invite all Members of this Legislative Assembly to join me in celebrating the employers dedicated to strengthening our workforce, the apprentices working toward certification, and the journeypersons across our territory who have successfully completed their training.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.