So far, at least, James Senga is following in his father’s footsteps. His dad graduated from SIAST’s Chemical Technology program about 20 years ago, and recently it was James’ turn.

The decision to go into Chem Tech was a natural for him. He started excelling in math and science in elementary school so, after high school, he went straight into the program in La Ronge. “It suited me,” he says. “The instructors were easily approachable if you had a question.”

Chem Tech’s hands-on approach and practicality were also standouts for James. “Every afternoon in the lab we did something different, no matter what,” he says. “The labs got us using equipment—an x-ray machine, pH and toxicity metres—that we’d use in the ‘real world’.”

James now works in the “real world” as a junior chemical technician at Cameco’s Key Lake uranium mill, where his dad works as well. He’s hoping that, like his father, he’ll land a permanent position at the site.