A dozen members of Pimicikamak Cree Nation (PCN) at Cross Lake are being trained for mining sector jobs at Hudbay’s Snow Lake operation through a partnership between the company, the provincial government, PCN, University College of the North (UCN) and the Northern Manitoba Sector council.
The training began in February and will conclude in November. The provincial government is providing $87,000 in funding for the training, with Hudbay and PCN contributing in-kid support.
“We are working in partnership to develop the next generation of workers in Northern Manitoba’s resource economy,” said Premier Brian Pallister in a May 27 press release. “Our Look North strategy identifies the need for stronger connections between local industry and the community through educational opportunities. This training also supports a key priority of Manitoba’s Economic Growth Action Plan in ensuring we have the right skills, knowledge and talent to support a thriving economy.”
“Our goal is to fill the jobs at our operations with people from our northern communities and this hiring program is a great first step in achieving this goal,” said Robert Assabgui, vice-president of Hudbay’s Manitoba business unit.“We look forward to welcoming our 12 new employees from Pimicikamak.”
The curriculum, which includes mining training from UCN as well as on the-the-job training and mentorship with Hudbay, is administered by the Northern Manitoba Sector Council in partnership with UCN and Workplace Education Manitoba.
“This project developed key northern partnerships with the Cross Lake Band, Hudbay, the province, Workplace Education Manitoba and the Northern Manitoba Mining Academy,” said Northern Manitoba Sector Council executive director Jamie Grant.
“Working at the interface between industry, community and education is what the UCN’s Northern Manitoba Mining Academy does,” said UCN associate vice-president of community and industry solutions Rob Penner. “This project is a great example of how each of these groups had a critical piece to play in ensuring the success of a project that, ultimately, leads to northern people filling northern jobs.”
The provincial government says the training program also aligns with its Look North Report and Action Plan for Manitoba’s Northern Economy's focus on the importance of partnerships between Indigenous communities, government and industry.
