Government of Canada and Yukon College partner to increase capacity in mining technology jobs

On behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister of Health, Ryan Leef Member of Parliament for Yukon and Shelagh Rowles, Acting Vice-President of Education and Training at Yukon College today announced that resource development and exploration companies in Yukon will soon have more skilled local workers to choose from, thanks to two new mining technology programs at Yukon College.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that the mining and mineral exploration sectors are backbone employers and key contributors to economic development in the Territories,” said Mr. Leef. “This capacity building initiative will ensure Northerners have better access to quality jobs and will help industry to meet the increasing demand for skilled workers.”

“By partnering industry needs with educational institutions, we are ensuring that Yukoners have the skills and capacity to participate in and help grow the northern economy,” said Minister Aglukkaq.

“The introduction of these two new programs at Yukon College will open opportunities for Yukoners to become involved in the mining industry in new ways, “said Shelagh Rowles. “This funding will allow the College to develop cutting-edge programs using the latest accredited technology education. We look forward to working with industry to ensure these programs are top-quality and meet the specific needs of northern projects.”

Over the next three years, investments from CanNor and Yukon College will be used for the Yukon College School of Mining and Technology to develop and launch Geosciences Technology and Geo-Hydrological Technology programs. The two-year diploma programs will focus on geology applications in the environmental and exploration fields. The programs will be the first of their kind in the North to specifically target resource industry needs.

The federal investment is made possible through CanNor’s Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories.

SINED is one of several economic development initiatives within CanNor. CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada’s economic development across the North, and for related policy development and research.