Mining Essentials: Training for Indigenous People

Why choose Mining Essentials?

Mining Essentials is highly customizable for the employer and region's unique needs. Employers are encouraged to guide their curriculum and plan enrichment activities so their training can be employer-specific and unique. Employers must also bring learners on-site for job shadowing, as experiential learning helps them connect classroom knowledge to their field.

Indigenous cultures are integral to the program. Cultural respect and understanding helps learners better relate to the material, whether they are First Nations, Métis or Inuit. Mining Essentials is the only national mining training program created in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations and in collaboration with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council employers, educators and communities.

A graduation rate that is consistently above 70% demonstrates the success of the program, with the majority of learners achieving employment or furthering their mining education within six months of graduation.

Why hire a Mining Essentials graduate?

Graduates of the Mining Essentials program receive the essential and work-readiness skills needed to succeed in many entry-level positions within the Canadian mining industry.

Rob Mauer, Chief Operations Officer at UTM Exploration Services, explains how this program has benefited both his organization and ME graduates.

"Comparing the grads of the Mining Essentials program to anyone else without industry experience, the first difference you notice is the level of preparedness. These graduates understood what the industry was about and what was expected of them if they were to succeed. It helped them make a very fast transition to being an effective part of our field crew."

Trained, qualified and dedicated!

Each delivery of Mining Essentials requires two trainers. At least one trainer must have industry experience, preferably as a trainer or supervisor, and the other must have a background in adult education or life skills training. At least one of the trainers must self-identify as Indigenous (Métis, First Nations or Inuit). An ideal training team includes one male and one female trainer, both with positive attitudes, ability to adapt their lessons to meet the diverse needs of the classroom and dedication to the success of every learner.

Mining Essentials trainers can be recruited directly by a training site for MiHR's approval or can apply independently, becoming associated with an approved site at a later date. To apply independently, please contact the Registrar. Once approved, all trainers must attend the program's Train the Trainer workshop. Trainers are NOT permitted to deliver Mining Essentials without being associated with an approved training site.

The partnership between mining employers, educators and communities creates a successful foundation from training to employment. Program partners are able to establish a positive relationship based on a mutual understanding of everyone’s needs and set joint training goals for the benefit of learners.

Indigenous culture is integral to Mining Essentials. Designed to encourage learning in a culturally sensitive environment, the teaching of skills using cultural contexts and traditional methods helps learners relate to the material, whether they are First Nations, Métis or Inuit. Trainers are also encouraged to integrate and substitute local traditions to teach skills where possible. This is also beneficial to the local employer if they are just starting to learn about their local community and how best to work with them. Mining Essentials is the only national mining training program created in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations and in collaboration with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council employers, educators and communities.

The program’s customizable curriculum provides the opportunity for learners to spend time at a mine or exploration site, providing them with hands-on experience that connects them to their potential employer.

Mining Essentials creates role models and inspires the community. Some graduates ask what lies ahead of an entry-level job, and start to recognize that they can achieve a leadership position over time. For learners without the educational requirements for their preferred career, Mining Essentials gives them the confidence and knowledge they need to further their education.

Every Mining Essentials delivery is founded on a partnership between Indigenous communities, educators and employers to provide learners with the non-technical skills, knowledge and confidence needed for mining employment.

A graduation rate that is consistently above 70% demonstrates the success of the program, with the majority of learners achieving employment or furthering their mining education within six months of graduation.

MiHR Guide for Aboriginal Communities (GAC)

This Guide is a tool for Aboriginal organizations interested in learning more about mining employment, as well as for those with a specific focus on developing mining-related training and employment opportunities for their communities. The Guide highlights the benefits mining can bring to individuals and communities.

Download the guide

Mining Essentials is your first step towards a rewarding career!

Thousands of new workers are needed to fill vacancies in the mining and exploration industry from coast to coast, due, in part, to replacements from retiring workers.

Mining Essentials offers exposure to the mining sector through an empowering learning experience, leading to employment, or further education.

If you are interested in Mining Essentials, please contact miningessentials@mihr.ca

What learners are saying about the program:

“Once they see my success and the success of my classmates they [the community] will want to follow.” - Rebecca Thompson, Mining Essentials graduate, Saskatchewan

“We went on a local mine tour. Now I know what an environmental technician does for a mine. I didn’t even know the position existed when I first started. I thought that companies just come in, extract the resources and leave. There is much more to it than that, and that’s what Mining Essentials showed me. It opened up my mind to how a mine functions. Now I’m pursuing my education to become an environmental technician.” - Ada Chevrier, Mining Essentials graduate

Mining Essentials is taught in the classroom and through hands-on experiences.

The industry-validated curriculum and employer involvement enables educators to connect students to industry to give them the potential opportunity for hands-on experience at a mine or exploration site, enriching the learning experience and ensuring that learners want to pursue a career in mining.

Indigenous culture is integral to the program.

Designed to encourage learning in a culturally appropriate environment, the teaching of skills using cultural contexts and traditional methods helps learners relate to the material, whether they are First Nations, Métis or Inuit. Trainers are also encouraged to integrate and substitute local traditions to teach skills where possible. This is also beneficial to employers who are just starting to learn about their local community and how to become culturally aware.

Mining Essentials is highly customizable for the needs of the program partners and regions.

From day one, the partnerships between employers, educators and communities inform the work enrichment activities, delivery design and learner recruitment. Previous deliveries have included safety training or provincial certificates as part of training enrichment, further enhancing a candidate’s understanding of mining safety culture and regional work readiness.

Program graduates have the skills to seek employment or pursue further education.

Some graduates ask what lies ahead of an entry-level job, and start to recognize that they can achieve a leadership position over time. For learners without the educational requirements for their preferred career, Mining Essentials gives them the confidence and knowledge needed to further their education. The importance of demonstrating a positive workplace attitude is also reinforced throughout the Program and is necessary for learners to graduate.

• A graduation rate that is consistently above 70% demonstrates the success of the program, with the majority of learners achieving employment or furthering their mining education within six months of graduation.

• Mining Essentials is the only national mining training Program created in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations and in collaboration with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council, employers, educators and communities.

Download more information

Anishinabek Employment and Training Services

212 Camelot Street, Upper Level

Thunder Bay, ON

P7A 4B1

(807) 346-0307

Northwest Community College

Hazelton Campus

4815 Swannel Drive, Box 338

Hazelton, BC

V0J 1Y0

(250) 635-6511

Northern College

140 Government Road East

Kirkland Lake, ON

P2N 3L8

(705) 235-3211

Southeast Regional College

708 5th Avenue

Whitewood, SK

S0G 5C0

(306) 435-4631

Temiskaming Native Women's Support Group

109 Burnside Dr.

Kirkland Lake, ON

P2N 2V5

(705) 567-1133

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute

106 Centennial Square, 3rd Floor

Thunder Bay, ON

P7E 1H3

(807) 626-1880

Confederation College

1450 Nakina Dr

Thunder Bay, ON

P7C 4W1

(807) 475-6110

Collège Boréal

21 Lasalle Blvd

Sudbury, ON

P3A 6B1

(705) 560-6673

For more information, please contact miningessentials@mihr.ca .