Sudbury’s NORCAT is set to open a leading-edge mine safety training facility in northeastern Nevada this fall.
The Northern Ontario mining training and technology innovation centre teamed up with Reno’s Great Basin College last June to get into the training business in a state that’s been a target market for Sudbury and Northern Ontario mining industry supply and service vendors.
Labelled as the GBC-NORCAT Mine Skills Training facility, this centre in Reno is being promoted as a catalyst for growth in the state’s mining sector and its 1,150 jobs. The college is on the hunt for a director to run the facility.
While no specific date was set for an official ribboncutting in a Sept. 25 social media posted news release, the two partners took the opportunity during the MINExpo International Conference in Las Vegas this week to re-announce the US$832,000 in funding, first revealed last July, from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) that’s earmarked for this facility.
The centre is collaboration between the two parties to deliver skills and safety-focussed training for the Nevada mining industry. There will be corporate training services, geared to the industry, offered through a variety of hands-on instruction and advanced technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality.
The money comes from a funding pot known as Workforce Innovations of a New Nevada.
"The funding from GOED allows us to move forward with our shared vision of preparing the next generation of mining workers,” said Jason Bubba, NORCAT’s chief operating officer. “Our GBC-NORCAT MST facility will not only create opportunities for hands-on training but also showcase the future of mining through innovative educational approaches."
Amber Donnelli, the interim president of Great Basin College, said facility is a “transformative step for the mining industry in Nevada.”
“We are committed to delivering best-in-class training that addresses the evolving demands of the sector, and this partnership with NORCAT will enhance our ability to produce safety-conscious, highly skilled professionals who will contribute to the prosperity of our region."
The release said last year’s Nevada trade mission to Ontario was instrumental in forming this partnership that fills a significant gap in the state’s mining sector.
“The development of this new facility marks a key investment in workforce development for the mining sector, a vital part of Nevada’s economy," said Tom Burns, executive director of the governor’s economic development office. "Through this partnership, we are building a pipeline of skilled workers that will meet the needs of local employers while advancing safety and innovation in mining."
