Mining industry launches $27 million training program

Monday, June 21, 2010

Joel McKay

BC’s mining industry has teamed up with First Nations to form a $27.1 million program to train aboriginals for careers in mining.

The BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA) will administer the three-year program that will educate and provide technical jobs for 148 aboriginals in the province’s mining industry.

“I absolutely anticipate a positive impact, meaning that individuals will have the opportunity for real jobs that have the potential for real growth,” said Laurie Sterritt, the BC AMTA’s executive director.

She said the program aims to provide high-level training for technical and management careers in mining, not just labour jobs.

The BC AMTA has 15 partners on the project that include industry associations, educational institutions and First Nations.

Several mining companies and one institution have agreed to provide jobs: Imperial Metals Corp. (TSX:III), 50; New Gold Inc. (TSX:NGD), 38; Teck Resources Ltd. (TSX:TCK), 25; Hard Creek Nickel Corp. (TSX:HNC), 18; Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:EPL) and Prize Mining Corp. (TSX-V:PRZ), 7; and Northwest Community College, 10.

Mining companies and associations will contribute $22.7 million to the fund. An additional $4.4 million will come from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Most of the money will be used to cover participants’ education and travel costs, and Sterritt said there will likely be a post-education employment contract.

Leaders from some B.C. First Nations communities have applauded the program, saying it’ll put jobs back into remote communities hit hard by the forest industry downturn.

“The mining industry is now the main employer in these areas, and they’re going to be for a long time because you look at these trees and they don’t grow [back] overnight,” said Eddy Jules, councillor of the Skeetchestn Indian Band and vice-chairman of the BC AMTA.

Because many First Nations communities are in remote areas, the mining industry is a leading employer of aboriginals.

According to Natural Resources Canada, the industry saw a 21% increase in its aboriginal workforce from 1996 to 2001.

The new strategy is part of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program that provides education and employment in Canada’s resource and construction industries.

In 2005, Vancouver’s VanASEP program was launched to train and find employment for aboriginals in the construction industry.

In 2008 and 2009, 134 of its participants found employment.

The mine program will focus on B.C.’s northwest and central Interior regions and provide academic upgrades, job-specific training and apprenticeships for aboriginals.

Sterritt said the program is open to all aboriginals, but applicants are subject to a thorough screening prior to entry.

“We would do a full assessment of the individual, their skill level, their interests, their background and what their goals are,” said Sterritt.

Annita McPhee, chairwoman of the Tahltan Nation’s central council, said one of the big issues around skill development is that many aboriginals lack the means to attend schools that are seven or eight hours from their communities.

But Imperial Metals’ potential Red Chris mine, among others, is located near the Tahltan, and McPhee said that’s good for her people.