Federal government announces funding for N.W.T. non-profit

A skills-oriented non-profit in Yellowknife plans to develop new programming, improve its space and add new training workshops, after the federal government announced nearly $732,944in funding Wednesday.

N.W.T.'s Liberal MP, Michael McLeod, announcedon behalf of Dan Vandal, minister of northern affairs, an investment through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) towarda three-year project by Makerspace YK.

Makerspace YK is a non-profit society in Yellowknife aimed at developing social infrastructure in the form of public shop space, a tool library, and a skills learning centre.

Aileen Ling, the executive director of Makerspace YK, says a huge part of the funding will go towarda social innovation project. This will include developing new programming and training workshops for members, making improvements to the space and adding a 24/7 membership through a fob-access system.

Around 50 to 80 people use the facility on a monthly basis, according to Ling.

"Summers are a little slower because people want to be outdoors, while in winters, we find there are definitely more people using this space," Ling said.

Ling says programs and spaces such as the woodshop at Makerspace are great introductions to trade skills.

"Especially for a lot of schools, it's not a mandatory curriculum requirement anymore. So having people run through the tools is a good way to introduce them to the trades," Ling said.

Shortage of tradespeople

McLeod says there is a shortage of skilled tradespeople in the territory and a need to stimulate that sector further.

"Building new infrastructure, new homes, projects of that nature all require people with skill sets," McLeod said. "It's been a challenge; we hear on a daily basis... we need people that can provide such skills."

McLeod says there are many people who come from other communities to participate in programming at Makerspace YK.

"It would be nice to have spaces like these in every community. But at this point, Yellowknife has probably the biggest one," McLeod said.

Residents will have access to some of the new facilities at Makerspace YK by early next year.