Feds support mining education in northern B.C.

Mining in northern British Columbia received a shot in the arm on Monday.

The College of New Caledonia will purchase heavy-haul truck and front-end loader simulators to provide virtual training for a total of 50 students each year, as part of the Mining Industry Certificate Program. The program will train students for employment as heavy equipment operators in surface mining operations located in northern B.C. The 15-week training program will initially be delivered in the Burns Lake, Fort St. James and Mackenzie campuses.

The federal government kicked in $182,063 through its Western Diversification program. The government says the new equipment will help enhance business productivity and competitiveness through training initiatives that will provide mining companies with access to skilled labour.