Northern Manitoba Mining Academy: Doing great things By Craig Cowper, Operations Manager, Northern Manitoba Mining Academy
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ining is an industry of exploration. Twelve men from the northern community of Cross Lake, Man. took the challenge of exploration and found exactly what they were looking for at the Northern Manitoba Mining Academy (NMMA). The NMMA, in Flin Flon, Man., is a collaborative venture of industry, educational and governmental partners and a variety of community stakeholders. The mandate is to provide increased access to industrial and mining-related training, specifically for Northern Manitoba residents, like the 12 men from Cross Lake. The objective is to create a knowledgeable, skilled and sustainable workforce. In spring 2019, the NMMA partnered with the Northern Manitoba Sector Council, employer Hudbay Minerals and other stakeholders to offer mining and industry training for the community of Cross Lake. Applicants were screened, assessed and interviewed, resulting in 12 successful candidates be-
ing admitted to the program. Training started in Cross Lake with three weeks of life skills education, followed by four weeks of essential skills learning conducted by Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM). “The students were hard-working, diligent and committed to success,” commented WEM instructor Guy Row. “Many of them exceeded the essential skills training objectives, demonstrating their abilities and commitment to learning.” The program then shifted to the NMMA in Flin Flon for two weeks, where students were provided with an opportunity to learn about exploration, minerals and mining. The collaborative nature of the program gives it a strong foundation for outreach. It is led by a board of directors and established and authorized by the University College of the North (UCN). The NMMA develops and implements strategic training initiatives for new hires, and skills enhancement for those already employed. The NMMA also 2019-2020 Northern Prospector
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