THUNDER BAY – Business Now – The North Superior Workforce Planning Board has partnered with the Thunder Bay CEDC to host a much anticipated Forum on employment and training opportunities within mining. The Forum will take place on Wednesday, February 15 at the Best Western Nor’Wester on Highway 61 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Along with employment service providers, the event will target those currently unemployed and underemployed who might be interested in pursuing a career in mining. With 200 participants in attendance, the Forum will begin to address the workforce needs—both present and projected—in mining throughout the Thunder Bay District.
The Forum is Phase II of a two-phased project carried out by NSWPB in 2011-12 on the mining sector. Phase I consists of a study conducted by Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) that assesses the labour market supply and demand within mining over the next 2, 5, and 10 years. The report provides the findings from an employment and workforce demographic survey of regional exploration and mining employers, and support service contractors conducted between September 2011 and January 2012.
A presentation on this report as well as the official release will take place during the Forum. In addition, the Forum will provide keynote presentations on three areas of mining: exploration, production, and supply and services. Workshops will be offered on topics including trades in mining, women in mining, transferrable skills, environmental careers in mining, First Nations in mining, careers in prospecting, and several others. A trade show component featuring employment and training services as well as some of the mining companies in the area will round off the day, ensuring that those in attendance will walk away with everything they need to know to enter the mining sector’s workforce.
“Mining exploration, development, and production is very prevalent in our region and we need to ensure that our communities are ready to address the growing workforce needs of the sector,” states Madge Richardson, Executive Director of North Superior Workforce Planning Board. “These initiatives are necessary steps toward accomplishing these goals.”
Registration is currently open to the general public and if you are interested in attending, visit www.thunderbaymining.ca today. You can also contact the North Superior Workforce Planning Board at 807-346-2940 for further information