Did you know that the Canadian mining industry directly employs more than 373,000 workers across the country in mineral extraction, smelting, fabrication and manufacturing, and indirectly employs an additional 190,000 in other related fields.

Mining is also the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal people in Canada on a proportional basis.

Here at ABQ we decided it was time to take a look at a few of those individuals with careers that are in some way connected to mining.

Over almost the last three decades carpenter John Lafferty has built many things including a solid career assisting the resource sector.

The Tlicho tradesman got his start working in his home community of Behchoko where he first signed on with the housing corporation.

“I was working alongside a tradesperson and enjoyed the trade,” he said. “So I decided to pursue it.”

From there it was off to Fort Smith to formally study carpentry at Aurora College through the apprenticeship program. During that time he stayed with the housing authority and completed housing maintenance work for the duration of his apprenticeship.

“At the time in 1989, Aurora College was the only real option for people in NWT, there was no other choice,” he said. “It was also convenient and close to home.”

Since then he’s continued to hone his craft and sought out other opportunities to expand his skills. Nowadays he is also an oil burner technician and a plumber in addition to his primary occupation of carpentry.

“I really enjoy building structures and doing all of the mechanical trades work,” he said. “But my favourite part of the job is getting to enjoy the smell of wood every day.”

Being such a diverse trades worker has also made his career more enjoyable over the years.

“I like getting to do so many different things,” he said. “It really keeps things interesting from day to day.”

Currently he’s employed by the equally diverse Nuna Logistics. The Nuna Group of Companies is an Inuit-owned heavy civil earthworks and construction company with a track record of more than 24 years of safe, successful major project delivery. Some of the services they provide include: Contract mining; Dams and dikes; Earthworks and site development; Heavy equipment contract training; Ice roads and airstrips, Large diameter drilling; Mine reclamation care and maintenance; and, Site services and crushing.

His job there does have more than a few challenges, not the least of which is created by Mother Nature.

“Working outside in extreme weather conditions is hard sometimes,” he said. “Working with many different people and building a good solid team – it is challenging, but you also pick up many different ideas and better ways of doing things.”

He said that his career is attainable for others if a person can stay positive and believe in themselves.

“You’ve got to have a clear mind and be honest,” he said. “Be loyal towards other tradesmen and key team players on the work field.”

He insists that education makes life easier.

“People need to finish their education and complete a trade training program to be successful within a job like mine,” he said.