As a red-seal journeyman electrician, Brandon Oolooyuk is now working for the biggest power consumer in the Kivalliq region and, at other times, for himself.
He puts in his shifts underground at Agnico EagleSA国际影视传媒檚 Meliadine gold mine, looking after newly-installed electrical infrastructure: maintaining electrical systems on the mining equipment, underground wi-fi, radio communications and the electrical distribution system.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 so much,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the site, which was constructed over the past couple of years.
Although Meliadine is a massive operation and much more complex than the electrical installation involved on a housing site, Oolooyuk said the same theoretical principles are still germane.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 certain codes that we have to apply to every job that we do,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a requirement because of safety also.SA国际影视传媒�
Matt Belliveau, executive director of the NWT and Nunavut Construction Association, said there is tremendous demand for local tradespeople in the North, particularly electricians.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a huge opportunity out there for the youth who can complete the trades entrance exam and complete their apprenticeships,SA国际影视传媒� Belliveau said, adding that heSA国际影视传媒檚 heard stories about companies engaged in SA国际影视传媒渂idding warsSA国际影视传媒� for the services of Inuit electricians.
Oolooyuk got into the profession when he noticed a posting for an apprentice electrician with the Rankin Inlet Housing Association while he was in his final year of high school.
SA国际影视传媒淭here was just a job opening and I thought it would be interesting to try and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 how I got in,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 the first tradesman in my family.SA国际影视传媒�
His first two years of post-secondary schooling were done at the Sanatuliqsarvik Trades Training Centre in Rankin Inlet. He went to Alberta to complete the final two years of the trades program.
When he graduated in 2016, Sakku Investments Corporation hired him to maintain power and electrical systems in their buildings.
About a year and a half later, Agnico Eagle came courting and Oolooyuk accepted a position underground.
SA国际影视传媒淚t interested me to try something new,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a little bit weird at first when you first start and you first go underground and youSA国际影视传媒檙e down there for 10 hours a day. Then you sort of get used to it after a few runs and it sort of becomes normal.SA国际影视传媒�
He also started his own business, Oolooyuk Electric, which keeps him occupied during his time off from the mine site.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e always wanted to be a company owner. I just do little jobs here and there,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that the summer construction season brings plenty of work.
