A new trades center established in Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories, is set to boost local job opportunities and help alleviate the housing shortage in the region.
Kadin Tatchinron, a lifelong resident of Fort Good Hope, is part of a team at the trades center constructing a duplex bound for Tulita, a community located nearly 300 kilometers south along the Mackenzie River, scheduled for early next year.
The primary objective of the trades center is to facilitate year-round indoor construction of modular homes throughout the Northwest Territories and provide training opportunities for local residents in various trades.
Currently, the Northwest Territories is grappling with a housing deficit. A housing needs analysis released by the N.W.T. government in March 2026 indicates a requirement for up to 2,700 homes to meet existing demand, with many more needed to replace aging housing stock.
Tatchinron highlights the significance of being able to contribute to construction projects in his community, emphasizing the pride that comes with such work and the positive impact it has on observers.
He views his work as a stepping stone towards advancing his career aspirations, including his goal of obtaining Red Seal certification, and believes that the trades center can serve as a platform for others in the community to pursue similar paths.
The center, according to Tatchinron, presents abundant job prospects for local residents, a sentiment echoed by his supervisor, David Kassem, who stresses the importance of fostering local employment and skills development in the trades sector.
Kassem underscores the benefits of the new center, enabling construction activities during winter months, contributing to skill development, and providing educational support to individuals preparing for pre-trades entrance exams.
Thomas Manuel, a 16-year-old student at Chief T’Selehye School, expresses his interest in joining the center in the future, highlighting his determination to learn and gain experience, with an ultimate goal of contributing to the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway project, supported by the federal Major Project’s Office.