Resource World Magazine

d e c e m b e r / j a n u a r y 2 0 1 6 www.resourceworld.com 43 Colleges like BC's Northwest Community College offers a School of Exploration & Mining program that provides training for the minerals industry offering courses such as Workforce Exploration Skills Training (WEST), a 32-day training pro- gram teaching skills through hands-on training delivered in a camp-based envi- ronment and other shorter courses such as an 11 day, driller's help course. Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek, BC and the College of Caledonia, with several BC campuses also offer programs for those interested in work- ing in the resource sector. Technical institutes such as BCIT offer diplomas in mining technology such as a Mining and Mineral Resource Engineering diploma and a Mineral Exploration and Mining Technology diploma. There are also schools of mining such as the Haileybury School of Mines in Northern Ontario that focuses on offering mining programs. Unions provide training as well, for example UA Local 170, British Columbia. A.D. Al Phillips, RSE, Executive Director of UA Piping Industry College of British Columbia told Resource World, "In the field of industrial construction including mining it is of the utmost importance that the individuals working on such projects are trained by designated trainers offer- ing accredited programs that empower the apprentice and future journey work- ers with the safety knowledge and hands on skills required to operate and build the infrastructure of our country. Long term careers as safe professional highly skilled trades people are what we are offering at The UA Piping Industry College of BC ensuring that all of our apprentices and students have access to the most up to date equipment and learning resources in their programs." Specialized companies, like BC's Taylor Pro Training Ltd., offer a variety of pro- fessional driver and heavy equipment training programs. Taylor Pro Training Ltd is an Industry Training Authority (ITA) designated school. They offer a 21 Week Heavy Equipment Foundation Apprenticeship Program along with other heavy equipment training programs. But until recently there has been no way for a skilled labourer, gaining valu- able on-the-job work experience, to have those skills recognized or measured using an industry recognized standard. Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) has developed a certification program that allows miners' hard won experience to be recognized by developing a standard of certification. The Canadian Mining Certification Program (CMCP) is available at CMCP-designated sites for underground miners, minerals processing operators, sur- face miners and diamond drillers. "In May 2008, MiHR began research- ing the requirements to establish a system for certification of workers in the mining industry, based on existing and future National Occupational Standards. Under this project, MiHR established a gover- nance structure and developed policies and procedures." In 2011 Certification pilots took place at several mine sites across Canada in 2011 and certification was available nationally in the fall of 2011. The goal is to certifying workers in the mining sector to provide them with recognized, portable credentials. The CMCP certifies workers at two levels: Level 1 certification confirms that a worker has the fundamental skills, com- petencies and knowledge required for the specified occupation and has completed all of the basic training and orientation programs. It also confirms that the individual has a minimum number of hours on the job, where they have been able to prac- tice and demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and skills in the work environment. This includes (but is not lim- ited to): safety practices and procedures, communications protocol and devices, identification and operation of specific tools and equipment. Level 2 certification confirms that the worker has the skills, competencies and knowledge required to perform a spe- cific job efficiently, without supervision. Individuals with Level 2 certification may have one of more areas of specialization (e.g. drilling and blasting in underground mining), depending on the structure of the operation at which they work. March of this year MiHR announced that over 1,000 workers achieved national certi- fication in the occupations of Underground Miner, Surface Miner, Minerals Processing Operator and Diamond Driller through the Canadian Mining Certification Program (CMCP). Companies interested in par- ticipating in the certification program can contact MiHR for information on how to become a CMCP-designated site. n info@taylorprotraining.com • Offer Heavy Equipment and Driver Training • 21 Week Heavy Equipment Apprenticeship Training • Commercial Driver Training, classes 1-4 and 5/7 • Training provider for Okanagan College • ITA Designated • PCTIA Accredited • Student Loan designated • Nominated for "Best Apprentice Training" for Small business in BC 2015 • Small class sizes • Air Brake Training • Driving Instructor Training, ITC for ICBC

• Cover