The Timmins Times reports that Goldcorp Porcupine Gold Mines and Northern College have teamed up to offer the Basic Underground Hardrock Miner Common Core training program at Goldcorp’s Holye Pond Mine. This new initiative could ease the demand for miners in hardrock underground mining and help with the current skills shortage.
“This is going to create a situation where we can train our next group of employees, our next group of miners,” adding that they’ll not only learn how to do their jobs, but how to do them safety so they can go home at the end of the day, said Rick Blakey, [the superintendent for Goldcorp’s Hoyle Pond underground operation].
Comments
Andre
17 000$ for a extra long job interview is boarderline ludacris. In a small community like Timmins you can bet your boots that sons, nephews, friends and such will be lined up and pick first or catered too. Tobad I guess, wonderfull idea but going about it the wrong way. How on earth is one to pay this 17 grand??? It’s 12 weeks not 12 months, thats more then I make in a year. And isn’t it the mine that need guys why do we foot the whole bill. These are people who want a career and are most likely struggling as is. With the politics of our city its a no-brainer that many who under-preform or don’t do as well as others will get the call before an individual who has no connections or family within the mining industry. I feel like there is no real options. This is for sure an option for the wealthy but the average young guy like me looking for a career is not going to dish out 17 THOUSAND dollars. It might work for some but for the majority of us it won’t. Second careers is great but only a select few qualify, and thier criteria is increasing dramaticly. I also believe that during those 12 weeks you don;t make a dime. Hmm maybe if I tell my bank and hydro company that I will be trying to start my career and won`t be paying my bills for at least 3 months they will understand. Ohh and if I don`t get hired after the 12 weeks I will be in debt for 12 years,GREAT. I will run that by my girlfriend who works like a dog because for her the job oppertunities are even smaller and the government doesn`t give 2 shits about us northerners. As far as Im concerned this is no help. The mines and government will benifit greatly but what about “the people“ of northern Ontario. Where are the jobs promised and why is it we have a great mining industry but the unemployment is sky high. I guess the only real option is back to college, good, cheap, affordable school. No wonder are population is dwindling why stay here. Love the city of timmins but wow thier is not much of anything in terms of jobs. HIRED!…layed-off…..HIRED….layed-off….HIRED…layed off. Framiliar to anyone. Its the course lots take because things get crazy during the summer then half the city shuts down with even less work then ever before as soon as January hits. I cant count how many employers have hired me, liked my work ethic and layed me off cause they cant afford to keep me. Im not blaming anyone or any reason but its obvious we have a serious issue that is not being dealt with. Jobs are far from plentiful here and job security….well….it exist somewhere. I`m in the construction industry and don`t have to much nice things to say about it. Great if your trained and experienced but if not, take a hike. Go do a 5 year apprentiship. Thats about it ohh well Im done ranting it felt good but now I`m kinda irritated. Im loosing hope in my community.