Harper Government Announces Support Mine Training

Expanding training opportunities in the Northwest Territories

YELLOWKNIFE, May 1, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, today announced an investment to expand mine training opportunities in the Northwest Territories.

The Surface Miner Training Program Development project will enable the Northwest Territories Mine Training Society and Aurora College to launch a new training program this summer that will prepare northern workers for an anticipated wave of employment opportunities in the mining sector beginning in 2016.

Quick Facts

• Through a Memorandum of Understanding, Aurora College and the Mine Training Society have identified a collaborative approach to support the development of a new Surface Miner Training Program that will build on the success of the existing Underground Miner Training Program in the Northwest Territories.
• This project is valued at $897,500. CanNor's funding (up to $550,500 over two years beginning in 2014-2015) along with industry funding of $220,000, and Government of the Northwest Territories of $127,000 will support the purchase of simulator equipment and the development of surface mine training curriculum.
• With three diamond mines in production and a fourth on the way (Gahcho Kué is expected to begin production as early as 2016), this project will bring industry, government and training partners together and will work to connect northern communities to economic opportunities in the months and years ahead.

Quotes
"Our Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Mining and exploration sectors are key employers and contributors to economic development in the territories. Building capacity in this sector will ensure Northerners have better access to quality training and jobs in their own communities."

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of the Environment, and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

"The opportunity to partner with the federal government and industry to provide job training that is directly linked to economic growth will benefit both the NWT labour market and recruitment efforts. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is pleased to support the development of this specialized curriculum that will allow more Northerners get the skills they need in order to work in the mining industry."

Jackson Lafferty
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, GNWT

"As with any business, the strength of the NWT mining industry is its people. We are committed to working with partners like Canada's Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and the Northwest Territories (NWT) Mine Training Society to generate opportunities for education and skill development here in the NWT. The development of a new Surface Miner Training Program will give graduates a competitive advantage when filling related positions. The availability of ready, qualified local candidates will improve cost efficiencies and associated hiring processes for prospective employers."

Hon. David Ramsay,
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, GNWT  

"The Mine Training Society and its partner, Aurora College, is appreciative of the investment by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency into the Surface mine simulators.  The surface mine simulators will complement the underground simulators.  These are creating a virtual mining school in the Northwest Territories to support training in the North.  With the opening of Gahcho Kué and other surface pits – we will be able to get ahead of the curve to train Aboriginal and Northern people to take advantage of the economic opportunity presented by resource development."

Hilary Jones
General Manager, Mine Training Society

CanNor works to help develop a diversified, sustainable and dynamic economy across Canada's three territories, and delivers on its northern mandate through funding programs, the Northern Projects Management Office and by undertaking policy and research.

For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca

For more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit: northernstrategy.ca

SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

For further information: Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq: Ted Laking, 819-997-1441; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency: Shane Kilpatrick, Communications Advisor, NWT, 613-240-7682; Proponent/partner contact person: Hilary Jones, General Manager - Mine Training Society of the NWT, 867-765-0445; Roya Grinsted, Cabinet Communications, Government of the Northwest Territories, Tel: [phone]