People from a northern community interested in the mining industry have a new training opportunity.
Timmins-based NPLH Drilling and Northern College are offering the diamond drilling common core basic training program for free to Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN) members.
“It's a tremendous opportunity to provide support for individuals to not only meet their career advancement needs within the mining industry, but also to satisfy industry needs for skilled trades at this time,” said Dean Lessard, Northern College's senior vice-president of academics.
“From a Northern College perspective, we are uniquely positioned. We have 100 years of experience in mining education and training and we are pleased to be able to support the next generation of mining professionals and to meet the challenges of the sector that lie ahead for us.”
Lessard said the cost for the program is typically about $4,500 a student, which includes access to equipment through NPLH Drilling.
He said the program will help students receive hands-on training on operating a variety of drilling equipment safely, both above ground and underground.
This fall, the program’s first cohort will include 10 students from TTN. The second intake of students for the winter semester is currently being discussed.
According to Lessard, TTN is screening applicants and offering them positions within the program.
“Our role is strictly the delivering of the curriculum. The community is deciding who's going to enter into the program based on the criteria that they've set up. They know their community. They’re in the best position to identify the individuals that are best suited to come into these ten spots for the fall,” Lessard said.
"I think that's one of the powerful pieces of the partnership, is that it's not really led by one of the three of us, it really and truly is a collaborative relationship where each partner has a significant say in not only the selection of candidates, but, you know, curriculum delivery and so forth.”
To his knowledge, Lessard said this is the first time the college has offered something like this.
“We've offered the program and have had it sponsored by different companies who wanted to put prospective employees through it, but we've never had it where we've actually partnered with a First Nation community, a drilling company, and ourselves and provided it, in my term anyway,” he said.
Individuals looking to learn more or who'd like to apply for the program can email gdesmaraisbrunet@nplhdrilling.ca.
— TimminsToday
