NIC Trade Students Learn The Power Of International Education

Several NIC students had the chance to learn their trade recently in a remote village in South America.

The three Trades and Technical Program students went to Peru as part of a program with other participating post-secondary institutions to install solar panels in a remote Indigenous community.

The trip marked the first time that NIC trade students have taken part in a field study program abroad.

Rupert Love, Ivan Martinez Gonzalez and Jean-Samuel Bolduc made the trip to Santa Rosa de Llillinta in February, marking the first time that NIC trade students have taken part in a field study program abroad.

The project, which helps ensure the local school has power and internet access, was organized by Light Up The World, a Canadian non-profit group that helps bring energy to off-grid communities.

It offers field school programs to students to learn about renewable energy and project management, while helping to create important infrastructure for the small communities.

In this case, the school had no power or internet, so the work will make a difference for generations to come.

For Ivan Martinez Gonzalez, the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience; a chance to change the lives of many people. He says he plans to do it again.

“The community was extremely friendly, and you can see how much they appreciate our work,” he said.

“The gratitude from the community was so great … you want more and more to help more people.”

Cheryl O’Connell, Dean of Trades and Technical, credits NIC’s Office of Global Engagement for connecting the students with the Yukon University’s Field School–Solar Project in the Andean Foothills of Peru.

“International field schools provide the opportunity for students to apply their technical skills while being mentored by service-oriented educators supporting capacity development and, in this particular instance, leading the installation of a small-scale renewable energy project in a rural off-grid region of Peru.”

To learn more, visit North Island College.