Kristopher Okpatauyak is not the kind of person who gives up easily, and that was a key factor in him achieving his red seal as an electrician.

The Rankin Inlet tradesman attained his red seal status in February, meaning he meets national standards within the profession.

The entire process took him close to 10 years.

SA国际影视传媒淣ow I conquered,SA国际影视传媒� he said, after admitting that he failed his second year and fourth years of apprenticeship but he kept trying and said he stayed away from alcohol to get his focus back on track.

As a high school student, Okpatauyak said he considered careers in law enforcement and as a shipSA国际影视传媒檚 captain. Then a friend of his, Gareth Taylor, told him that heSA国际影视传媒檇 been accepted to a pre-trades program for electricians. Okpatauyak was also interested in that line of work, but his math skills were not up to par, he said. He applied through Nunavut Arctic College anyway and was accepted SA国际影视传媒� and a program instructor helped him improve his math.

After passing pre-trades, he got a job at Agnico EagleSA国际影视传媒檚 Meliadine gold mine north of Rankin Inlet, which was still under construction at the time.

SA国际影视传媒淚 had a great experience with them for two yearsSA国际影视传媒� it was a good learning experience,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that he worked on industrial tasks such as installing generators, grounding and bonding and SA国际影视传媒減ulling wire.SA国际影视传媒�

Then he moved on to assist in building the new arena in Rankin Inlet.

Each of the first three years of schooling in the electrician program entailed eight weeks in the classroom while the fourth and final year was 12 weeks of studies, Okpatauyak noted.

But to complete the third and fourth years, he went south to finish his studies in Calgary, since that possibility didnSA国际影视传媒檛 exist in Rankin Inlet.

Now, heSA国际影视传媒檚 working for EPLS Maintenance, mostly taking calls for service at government buildings in town. Although heSA国际影视传媒檚 satisfied with the terms of his employment, he has job offers from the territorial government and the option to return to the mine still stands.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 so many opportunities,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 so many doors that opened for me when I passed that (red seal) exam.SA国际影视传媒�

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 planning to ensure that even more doors open by getting a second trades ticket, either as an oil-burner mechanic or a plumber.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 mind going to school. ISA国际影视传媒檓 just going to keep building myself,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he more school you have, the more tickets you have, it just helps you.SA国际影视传媒�

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 also considering the possibility of owning his own business someday.

Okpatauyak again emphasized how much difficulty he had with academics, but he didnSA国际影视传媒檛 allow that barrier to stop him from reaching his goal.

SA国际影视传媒淚 barely passed high school,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 was a bad kid, but I just changed my life aroundSA国际影视传媒� I hope more Inuks and kids and people in Canada that (struggle) in high school know that when you mature up, itSA国际影视传媒檚 possible. I never thought I could ever get my ticket as an electrician. I just kept trying and I did it.SA国际影视传媒�

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