- Where can I find information about the mining industry in Canada?
- How do I find out about essential skills training programs?
- What is the difference between a job and a career in the mining industry?
- Where can teachers find support for classroom education and training?
- How might educators find information about cooperative programs and 'hands on' learning opportunities for high school students?
- Where do I go to find out about current job opportunities?
- How does the signing of an MOU or IBA affect employment opportunities?
- Where can Aboriginal organizations apply for additional funding for their skills development and employment programs?
- How should we engage with unions and what impact does a collective agreement have on job opportunities?
- Who are the main employers of people who want a job providing support services to mining companies?
- What are the certification requirements for working in mining?
- What is a 'fly in/fly out' work schedule?
- Where can I access information about apprenticeable trades?
Where can I find information about the mining industry in Canada?
There are a number of good sources of information on the mining industry in Canada including the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), Mining Association of Canada (MAC), the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
The Mining Information Kit for Aboriginal Communities explains the mining cycle, the potential impacts of mining and potential opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples and communities. It identifies several additional resources that provide information on how to get involved in mining. There are also a number of internet resources including governmental and non-governmental sources. See www.mining.ca/www/Links as an example.
How do I find out about essential skills training programs?
Essential skills are increasingly recognized by employment counselors and practitioners as the foundation for living, working and lifelong learning. There are nine primary essential skills including reading text, document use, numeracy, computer use and oral communication.
A number of tools are being used by Aboriginal communities to assess essential skills, including Testing of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) and Essential Skills Portfolio (ESPORT). Human Resources and Social Development Canada's Office of Literacy and Essential Skills provides resources for use by individuals and practitioners including an Essential Skills Toolkit: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/oles/olesindex_en.shtml.
MiHR, in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, has developed Mining Essentials: A Work Readiness Training Program for Aboriginal Peoples. This program covers 'work readiness' and essential skills defined as critical by industry for employment. What makes Mining Essentials even more appealing is that the industry approved content is taught through traditional, culturally appropriate methods.
What is the difference between a job and a career in the mining industry?
Essential skills are increasingly recognized by employment counselors and practitioners as the foundation for living, working and lifelong learning. There are nine primary essential skills including reading text, document use, numeracy, computer use and oral communication.
A number of tools are being used by Aboriginal communities to assess essential skills, including Testing of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) and Essential Skills Portfolio (ESPORT). Some communities have developed their own workplace training capacities in partnership with industry and learning institutions that include individual and group training. Human Resources and Social Development Canada's Office of Literacy and Essential Skills provides resources for use by individuals and practitioners including an Essential Skills Toolkit: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/oles/olesindex_en.shtml.
Where can teachers find support for classroom education and training?
Established in April 1997, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Mining Matters (PDACMM) is a registered charitable organization dedicated to mineral resource education. Resources that support curriculum are available for junior, intermediate and secondary teachers. Lesson plans and educational resources are also available containing current information about rocks, minerals, metals, and mining that meet earth science and geography curriculum expectations.
Tools available include DVDs and CDs, posters, and information about field trips and rock and mineral clubs for students. PDAC has, through an Aboriginal Outreach program to First Nations communities, visited and provided workshops in several communities in northern Ontario. Tools and resources are available at www.pdac.ca/miningmatters. Some provincial/territorial mining associations have also developed programs or tools. For further information contact the mining association in your province/territory.
How might educators find information about cooperative programs and 'hands on' learning opportunities for high school students?
Learning through practical on-the job-training can help all students who are bound for the workplace by helping them make career decisions and develop the knowledge, practical skills and attitudes that will open doors to mining careers. Cooperative work experience opportunities allow secondary school students to train as apprentices and earn academic credits while attending school.
Local school boards and provincial education departments will provide more information specific to opportunities in their regions. Further information can be accessed through the apprenticeship offices located within each province and territory.
Where do I go to find out about current job opportunities?
In addition to this website, there are three additional websites dedicated to jobs in mining.
These include:
Most mining company websites also have their own job boards where they regularly post job opportunities and job descriptions that are available to the public.
How does the signing of an MOU or IBA affect employment opportunities?
Partnership agreements between Aboriginal communities and mining companies range from the establishment of relatively informal arrangements (e.g. handshake or Memorandum of Understanding) at an early stage of exploration to more formal Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) which are typically entered into between Aboriginal groups and a project proponent seeking development approval.
Each agreement is distinct. However, these agreements generally address a number of issues such as surface access, employment, training and education commitments and provisions for contracting and business opportunities as well as for IBA compensation. Most agreements have provisions for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of employment participation and economic progress. A map indicating where IBAs have been signed between Aboriginal communities and mining companies in Canada is available through NRCan.
Contact NRCan by phone to request these maps.
Where can Aboriginal organizations apply for additional funding for their skills development and employment programs?
There are a number of federal programs aimed at increasing workplace skills development and employment. Some Aboriginal community organizations have accessed resources through Human Resources and Social Development Canada's Workplace Skills Initiative for projects addressing skills shortages in partnership with employers. The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (HRSDC) provides funding opportunities for skills development and employment projects.
In addition, many provinces have Labour Market Development Agreements or Labour Market Agreements with the federal government. These intergovernmental agreements typically 'earmark' resources for employment supports, and trades and apprenticeship training, particularly for underrepresented groups including Aboriginal Peoples.
How should we engage with unions and what impact does a collective agreement have on job opportunities?
Unions should be contacted early in the training and employment planning process if the worksite of the mine is unionized. Ask the company you are in touch with or inquire at the provincial mining association about which union represents the workers at the project that is being developed near your community. A collective agreement is a legally binding contract between an employer and the union representing the employees, which contains provisions respecting conditions of employment.
It is a good idea that employment counselors in your community get in touch with a union representative in order to understand the impact that the collective agreement will have on the process for entering the mine workforce and the conditions of employment once an individual is employed.
Who are the main employers of people who want a job providing support services to mining companies?
Many Aboriginal-owned businesses exist to provide support services to the mining industry. These are excellent employers for Aboriginal youth wishing to enter an occupation in the support services category as a starting point for a career in mining. An example of such a business is the Athabasca Basin Development Limited Partnership.
There are many support services companies that could provide employment opportunities to trained individuals from Aboriginal communities. For further information on companies that provide support services to the mining industry, contact the provincial mining association nearest you.
What are the certification requirements for working in mining?
Certification depends on the type of employment. There are over 120 occupations in the mining industry. In the professional and technical occupations, employees must meet the requirements of the provincial/territorial jurisdictions in which they work. Similarly, skilled trades require completion of a provincial journeyman apprenticeship program. In contrast, most production-related mining jobs are not certified and do not require prior credentials or training programs. Training is generally provided on the job. For more information and potential career path information go to www.acareerinmining.ca.
What is a 'fly in/fly out' work schedule?
Companies, particularly in remote areas, bring people to and from the mine or exploration site on a rotating schedule. For example, some people may work three weeks at the site and then have two weeks off. The schedule differs from company to company. The company provides transportation, accommodations, food, health care, and some companies provide recreation, counseling, and other services on-site.
Where can I access information about apprenticeable trades?
For a wealth of information on apprenticeable trades and links to provincial/territorial apprenticeship board websites visit www.apprenticetrades.ca.
