Ottawa is supporting Aboriginal training in preparation for coming development in the Far North.
The federal government's Skills and Partnership Fund is allocating more than $5.9 million for training for employment in the mining sector for people in the nine communities of the Matawa First Nations.
It's part of a new Ring of Fire Aboriginal Alliance announced by Ottawa, Matawa, Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services (KKETS), Confederation College and Noront Resources, a junior miner working in the James Bay lowlands.
This fall, nine specialized training and six pre-trade courses will be made available for Matawa members with many delivered in their home communities and in Thunder Bay.
The training programs include: mining essentials, environmental monitoring, basic line cutting, security guard, remote camp cook, remote camp support, underground common core, underground diamond drill helper and heavy equipment operator.
The pre-trades programs are in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, heavy duty equipment mechanic and construction craft worker.
Organizers expect 260 to be trained and 196 trainees to enter the workforce through the training alliance. The length of training will vary from five to 20 weeks.
KKETS will be registering students as early as October while Confederation will be assessing applicant qualifications and delivering the training.
Noront is the industry partner and has committed to create employment opportunities for members to participate in all aspects of its Eagle's Nest nickel-copper-platinum-palladium deposit.
