In response to growing industry demands, Northwest Community College is now offering a mining fundamentals course free to eligible particpants.
The program was developed to assist unemployed individuals gain entry-level employment in the mining industry and to ensure there is a well-trained workforce in place to staff the major projects taking place in the region, explained Charlynn Toews, workforce training and continuing studies with NWCC.
In the past, the college has run a similar program for construction helpers and labourers but with the increase in mining activity, they changed the focus this year, Toews said.
“The funding we have is for people who are unemployed and not on EI,” she said.
“This time we changed it up because mining is heating up.”
“We are looking to match the job vacanicies that are out there now.”
The five-week program includes such areas as sustainable mining, safe work practices, mine rescue training, workplace communication and a mine site visit.
Safety training and certifications such as first aid, WHMIS, S-100 Fire Supression, transportation of dangerous goods, industrial fall protection, forklift operation and airbrakes, is also a big part of the program.
There are 12 spots available in the course and Toews said they are filling up fast.
The course runs from Sept. 23 to Oct. 31.
The original deadline of Sept. 9 has been extended.
For more information or to register, call Charlynn Toews at 250-635-6511 ext. 5357 or email ctoews@nwcc.bc.ca.