The Hamlet of Igloolik recently hired two trainees as full-time, permanent employees and there's a possibility that a third trainee may be offered a job as well.
The new staff members – finance clerk Adrianna Taqqaugaq and community health and wellness coordinator Austin Ijjangiaq – took part in a training program sponsored by the Kakivak Association that started in November.
"These are now guaranteed positions," said Greg Morash, Iglulik's senior administrative officer.
In addition to a big increase in pay, the workers are now entitled to annual vacation and medical and retirement benefits.
"They're really happy," Morash said of the new workers, who bring the full complement of municipal staff to approximately 40 full-time and 20 casual staff.
"We're looking at doing a lot more (training) projects, and I think with our record of actually hiring people on after the training, all of the people who give us money really look favourably to it," he said.