Kamloops Indian Band
James, a father of two, came to BC AMTA looking for opportunities, but was unsure about his qualifications. He submitted his BC AMTA application on June 18, 2010 and, with support and funding provided by BC AMTA, has now completed the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) Assessment, Essential Skills Upgrading, Class Three Learners Licence, Air Brakes course, Adult Dogwood (Grade 12 equivalency), WHIMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Transportation of Dangerous Goods, and Level One First Aid. And he's worked at the BC AMTA office in his spare time!
After completing the Essential Skills Upgrading, BC AMTA forwarded James' application to the New Gold mine while James underwent one month of preparation classes that equipped him for the assessments and interview process conducted by employers.
New Gold, impressed with the qualifications James received from BC AMTA, invited him for an interview and assessment and offered him a paid seat in the Underground Mine Training Program. When he completes the program at the end of 2010, James will be a full time employee of New Gold working at the New Afton mine outside of Kamloops.