Kenny Enuaraq struggled several times to pass the mandatory test to become a tradesperson, but he wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 let himself quit.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of time with poor opportunities and not enough help, I always failed that trades entrance exam,SA国际影视传媒� Enuaraq recalled.

He finally met an experienced tradesperson who provided mentorship and helped him overcome the academic obstacles that kept holding him back.

Although he wanted to assist his mother and grandparents with the upkeep of their homes, Enuaraq packed up and left his home community of Clyde River last year to attend college in Rankin Inlet. After completing eight months of pre-trades in April, he landed a casual apprentice position with the Rankin Inlet Housing Association.

Enuaraq, 30, is not alone in his hardship posed by the trades entrance exam. For four out of the five past years, more Nunavummiut have failed the test than have passed it. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a predicament that has caused the Department of Family Services, which oversees the exam, to make plans to expand tutoring services.

A trades entrance exam tutor was hired in Iqaluit as part of a pilot project with southern-based Frontier College in 2017-18. That individual provided instruction for a variety of courses during evenings and weekends, when students needed it after-hours.

Over the past two years, 43 students requested tutoring. Twenty-eight of them abandoned their quest to become tradespersons. Several are still under tutorship. Nine wrote the pre-trades test. Two passed. Three of the seven who failed had written the exam previously and improved their marks.

Some students who sought out the tutor have made SA国际影视传媒渢remendous strides,SA国际影视传媒� said Robert Clift, director of career development with Family Services.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 still not great because a lot of the students are starting from somewhat of a deficit in their science and math education,SA国际影视传媒� Clift said.

With the tutoring expansion, an after-hours instructor will be on site in Rankin Inlet as of this fall. Another tutor will do a four-month term in Cape Dorset before the new year and that will be followed by a four-month stint in Cambridge Bay in early 2020. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 also been discussion about making a tutor accessible in Arviat, Clift added.

Nunavut bases its trades entrance exam on the Alberta model. Dropping the exam isnSA国际影视传媒檛 an option, according to Clift.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檇 like to be in a position here to say when you graduate high school youSA国际影视传媒檙e ready to go on to trades training. Unfortunately, because of the uneven treatment of math and science across the territory, weSA国际影视传媒檙e not able to say that,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e use the exam, basically, so we donSA国际影视传媒檛 send people off to fail. People that donSA国际影视传媒檛 pass the exam, typicallySA国际影视传媒� theySA国际影视传媒檙e just not going to pass the technical training.SA国际影视传媒�

The department is also in the midst of reorganizing its trades training to offer more academic support up front, particularly in math and science. Safety, computer training and Inuktitut lessons will be incorporated, too, Clift said.

When Enuaraq found out recently that Family Services would be expanding its tutoring to more communities, he was elated.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat gives me chills just hearing that,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 good news! WeSA国际影视传媒檙e getting more help. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 amazing.SA国际影视传媒�

As a youth, Enuaraq was preoccupied with sports. The only job he could find with his limited education was retail. He originally desired to become an electrical linesman but he saw a better path forward through plumbing. Besides, he said, water leaks are SA国际影视传媒渢he most destructive thing,SA国际影视传媒� leading to mould issues in homes and offices.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 the most underrated trade,SA国际影视传媒� said Enuaraq. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of stuff. I could keep on going forever: the tools, how to keep everyone safe, how stuff goes through the pipe. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 just so interesting. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot to learn. ISA国际影视传媒檓 still learning every day, which is going to continue for a number of yearsSA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檓 in love with it.SA国际影视传媒�

Fact file
Trades entrance exam in Nunavut 2014-2018

Year        Number Who Wrote Exam      Number Who Passed Exam        Pass Rate
2014                      106                                              46                                43.4%
2015                        88                                              25                                28.4%
2016                        23                                              13                                56.5%
2017                        66                                              23                                34.8%
2018                      104                                              34                                32.7%
Source: Department of Family Services