Press Release - Occupational Standards and Certification

YELLOWKNIFE (July 10) -- The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT)

has recognized five new professions as Designated Occupations: Senior

Administrative Officer, First Nation Administrator, Finance Officer, Assistant Housing Manager and Tenant Relations Officer.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Department

of Municipal and Community Affairs, through the School of Community

Government, has worked with individuals and groups across the Northwest

Territories to develop standards that recognize the expertise required

in these important community positions.

Occupational standards allow industry to assess the competency of

individuals on the job. Certification in a designated occupation

indicates that an individual has attained an established level of

competency as determined by industry.

The development of standards for these five positions has also been a

collaborative effort between key community government partners

including: the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the NWT

Association of Communities, the NWT Housing Corporation, the Aboriginal

Finance Officer’s Association, local government administrators of the

NWT and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Jake Ootes says

certification is an important element in recognizing the knowledge and

expertise demonstrated by individuals working in these occupations. “We

are proud to have these professions join our roster of Designated

Occupations,” he said.

“Individuals working in these vital community government positions can

now be recognized as the professionals they are - and for the valuable

contributions they make to our Territory,” Minister of Municipal and

Community Affairs, Vince Steen added.

The first Certificates of Competency in these occupations were awarded

at the NWT Association of Communities’ Annual General Meeting in Inuvik

(June 14, 2003) to: Eleanor Young - Senior Administrative Officer, Ruby

Landry - First Nation Administrator and Diana Tingmiak - Tenant Relations Officer.

For more information:

Sue Glowach

Manager of Public Affairs

Education, Culture and Employment

Tel: (867) 920-6222

David Earle

Support Services Officer

School of Community Government

Municipal and Community Affairs

Tel: (867) 920-6308

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

The School of Community Government at:
1-877-531-9194 (toll free)
1-867-920-3159
1-867-873-0584 (fax)