Northern College grads are set to go

Northern College, located in Wahgoshig, Ont, in partnership with Wahgoshig First Nation, and Primero Mining Corp., recently held a celebration in Wahgoshig First Nation for the first of two groups of indigenous students to graduate from the Haileybury School of Mines Underground Hard Rock Miner Common Core program.

The program, with room for six students in each group, includes 12 weeks of training delivered by Northern College at Primero’s Black Fox Mine site, located just outside of Matheson, Ont. The modular training program covered areas of competency as listed in the MTCU Modular Training Standards Certification Program.

Northern College’s first class of mining grads are ready to work.

Participants also received an additional 10 days of soft skills and safety training to increase their marketability after the program. The graduates now have the basic knowledge and skills to become miners, working effectively and safely in the mining industry. The program is tuition free, thanks to funding provided by Ontario’s Aboriginal Economic Development Fund.

Daily transportation to and from the training site, as well as additional student support, was provided by Wahgoshig First Nation.

David Zimmer, Ontario’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, says, “When Aboriginal people prosper, all of Ontario prospers. That’s why we’re working to deliver results for Aboriginal communities through our Aboriginal Economic Development Fund. It’s going to take partnerships like the Wahgoshig Primero Northern College Training Initiative to the next level, creating jobs, training and business opportunities for Aboriginal communities.”

“We’re very excited to be working with Primero and Northern College to provide these opportunities for members of our community to take advantage of the significant industrial developments occurring in our area,” says Chief Dave Babin of Wahgoshig First Nation.

Graham Reid, Health, Safety & Environment, & Security Manager at Primero Mining Corp says, “This is an excellent example of how partnerships between First Nations, industry and training providers will lead to prosperity for our region.”

“We’re proud of the relationship we have established with Wahgoshig First Nation, and are happy to be expanding that relationship to include training opportunities.”

“By working together to develop a stronger workforce, we’re creating an environment where everyone involved will enjoy the benefits of our collective success.”

Samantha James, one of the graduates from the program says, “With my classmates and instructor, we’ve been able to produce ore tonnage from our own heading and we’ve installed ground support using a stoper, mucked out using a two-yard scoop, drilled on the face using a jackleg, and tied in and loaded our own blasts. With this training, our opportunities for employment are vast.”

“This program will help provide these graduates with the competitive advantage when applying for mine positions.” says Christine Heavens, Executive Director, Community, Business Development and Employment Services at Northern College.