Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining Study's Phase One Complete
WHITEHORSE– Yukon College is pleased to announce that the first phase of the feasibility study to establish the Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining (CNIM) is complete and demonstrates a significant need for Yukon-based mine training, education and research.
“Phase One reveals that over the next 10 years, the Yukon’s three producing mines alone will need to hire approximately 1,690 workers to simply maintain the current level of employment,” said Yukon College President and CNIM Chair Karen Barnes. “These figures don’t include the new positions that will need to be filled or the hiring requirements of the exploration industry and mining’s associated construction, environmental and service and supply sectors.”
The first phase also addresses questions surrounding the resilience and sustainability of the territory’s mining industry and challenges the Yukon’s traditional “boom and bust” paradigm as higher wages, commodity prices and demand for natural resources in emerging countries are expected to continue for decades.
“The Yukon’s rich natural resources and strong technological base position the territory well to meet this increasing global demand,” continued Barnes. “With relevant training, education and certification right here in the territory through CNIM, Yukoners could take greater advantage of the industry’s skilled employment opportunities and subsequently, help to address our labour market challenges.”
Through the delivery of accredited programming in mining and related technologies, relevant applied research projects and engagement with industry, governments and Yukoners, CNIM – in collaboration with existing associations such as the Yukon Mine Training Association (YMTA) – will help the territory coordinate its mine training efforts to achieve sustainability and resilience across all its economic sectors.
“Through the work of the YMTA over the past five years, the mining industry and its First Nations partners have demonstrated that training is critical to ensure that all Yukoners can take advantage of the employment opportunities right here in the territory,” said Yukon Mine Training Association Vice-Chair and CNIM Advisory Group member Sam Wallingham.
“Early on, industry working in the territory recognized that the Yukon needs to expand its capacity to educate and train a local workforce and work with a coordinated approach to meet labour force needs,” said Alexco Resource Corp. Chief Operating Officer and CNIM Advisory Group member Brad Thrall.
“Canada is a world leader in the mining and exploration industry and the Yukon is well positioned to assume its rightful place on the industry world stage,” said Barnes. “For the benefit of all Yukon residents and communities, CNIM – and its role as a northern mining education and research leader – is integral.”
The CNIM Feasibility Study is an initiative of Yukon College with the support of Yukon Economic Development and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. The study is being conducted by Derome & Associates and an Advisory Group of industry, governments and education and training association members oversees the study.
Phase One focused on the collection of data and information to provide a relevant and comprehensive socio-economic portrait of the global, national and territorial context within which CNIM would operate.
Moving forward, Phase Two will research and provide recommended models of governance, funding avenues, program delivery and research opportunities for CNIM. The CNIM Feasibility Study will be completed in June.
-30-