UCN Partners With NORCAT, Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), to deliver a Mining Readiness Training Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2024
(The Pas/Thompson, MB) -University College of the North (UCN) will partner with NORCAT to deliver a Mining Readiness Training program in Manitoba beginning in September 2024. Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is supporting the program with $1,264,805 in funding. Based in Ontario, NORCAT delivers industry-standard miner training across Canada and around the world.
“UCN is very pleased to be able to offer this training,” said Doug Lauvstad, President of UCN. “UCN is responding to the needs of a growing mining industry in Manitoba. This program helps to ensure that Indigenous and Manitobans have opportunities to work in mining right here at home.”
UCN will deliver training beginning in September 2024 to a cohort of eight-to-ten learners. UCN is working with three of the existing operating Mines in Manitoba and one in Northern Saskatchewan to ensure successful participants of the program have opportunities to enter the labour pools with the Mining companies and other potential employers such as mining contractors. The initial launch of the program will be in Sagkeeng First Nation near Lac du Bonnet. Subsequently, the training will be delivered to new cohorts every second month over the following 18 months in various locations throughout Manitoba. Overall, 13 cohorts will go through the program. The program is expected to train at least 100 students for entry-level work in the mining industry. At least 60% of the learners in the program are expected to be Indigenous.
“Mining is an exciting industry with meaningful opportunities for people from nearly all walks of life,” said Stacy Kennedy, President of the Manitoba Mining Association. “Developing our local and regional workforce in northern Manitoba helps the mining industry remain sustainable for the future while creating lasting prosperity for the communities where we operate. We’re thrilled that UCN and the federal government are working together to develop new opportunities for northerners, and to grow our industry in the north.”
Graduates of the program will receive a dual certificate of completion from UCN and NORCAT. They will have the opportunity to work with UCN, in partnership with industry, on job placements. UCN also offers preparation training for those who may not be ready for the Mining Readiness program.
For more information on the program and to see current and future offerings please visit ucn.ca/mining.
University College of the North provides learning opportunities to northern communities while respecting diverse Indigenous and northern values.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Monte Koshel
UCN Director of Marketing, Communications & Recruitment
communications@ucn.ca | 204.627.8244
UCN acknowledges that we are on the traditional territories and homelands of many Indigenous peoples, in particular the Cree, Dene, Red River Métis, and Oji-Cree. Indigenous peoples have continuously maintained homelands in northern Manitoba since time immemorial. The First Nations in the area that UCN serves entered into treaty relationships with the Crown (within our region these include signatories to treaties 4, 5 — and the treaty 5 adhesion, and treaty 6 – located within the treaty 5 adhesion). The territory has also become home to other Indigenous peoples. We uphold the treaties and collaborate with all Indigenous peoples to share truth, reconciliation, and learning.