About HRSDC | Our Offices | Programs & Services | A-Z Index February 3, 2005 YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES -- The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development), on behalf of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced the project launch of the Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy (IMSS), under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program. "The Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy directly opens the door to a wide range of rewarding careers in the mining industry and enables Aboriginal communities to take full advantage of the exciting employment opportunities arising in the NWT's expanding diamond mining industry," acknowledged Minister of State Blondin-Andrew. "The diamond industry has given Aboriginal communities in the North plenty of optimism for the future." This initiative will provide the first mine training facility in the Northwest Territories with mining equipment simulators. Training will include specially tailored courses in basic skills, apprenticeship, underground mine training, mining technology and administration, mill operations, construction, heavy duty equipment operations and trades assistance. The Mine Training Society (MTS), a not-for-profit organization, formed a partnership consortium consisting of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council (Tli Cho Government), the Lutsel K'e Dene Council, the North Slave Métis Alliance, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., De Beers Canada Mining Inc., BHP Billiton and Northwest Territories's Department of Education, Culture and Employment. The MTS has developed a strategy called "A New Way of Developing Northern Human Resources" aimed at training Aboriginal peoples in the Northwest Territories for long-term employment in the mining industry. "Our approach is unique," said Leon Lafferty, Chair of the MTS. "We won't train anyone unless we know that this training is directly linked to a mining industry job. Our training model will respond directly to the needs of industry, as identified by industry." The total estimated budget for the Industrial Mining Skills Strategy is $39,990,000, of which $14,886,100 will be available from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada through the contribution agreement. Industry partners are also contributing over $14.8 million while $2.3 million will come from the Government of the Northwest Territories, $5.5 million from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and $2.4 million from the Aboriginal partners. The initiative is expected to result in 380 long-term jobs for Aboriginal peoples in the mining industry in the Northwest Territories and create training opportunities for up to 1,100 Aboriginal individuals. The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to work with Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to provide high quality, culturally relevant education for Aboriginal learners, to help them to achieve their educational needs and aspirations. ASEP complements the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, currently being renewed, as well as the Northern Strategy, announced by Prime Minister Martin last month, to build strong, sustainable, diversified economies where Northerners share in the benefits of Northern development. This initiative complies with all departmental administrative rules governing grants and contributions, and provisions of the Financial Administration Act, and is subject to review to ensure compliance with the objectives of the program. For more information, see the attached backgrounder . - 30 - For more information: Pierre Collin Office of the Minister of State Northern Development (819) 994-7626 Media Relations Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (819) 994-5559 Dalphine Elleze Regional Office Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (867) 669-5043 BACKGROUNDER NORTHWEST TERRITORIES INDUSTRIAL MINING SKILLS STRATEGY UNDER THE ABORIGINAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is a five-year initiative with total funding of $85 million. Its objective is to promote maximum employment for Aboriginal peoples on major economic development projects through a collaborative partnership approach, ensuring Aboriginal participation in major economic development opportunities occurring in and around their communities. Designed to complement Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Aboriginal and Human Resource Development Strategy (AHRDS), ASEP is an opportunity-driven program to help the Aboriginal work force to develop skills and provide lasting benefits for communities, families and individuals. ASEP also complements the Northern Strategy, announced by the Prime Minister last month, by providing training and human resource development responsive to the needs of community and regional labour market conditions and economies. Funding approval for the Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy was announced in Yellowknife last May. It was one of the first approved projects from proposals since the program's launch in October 2003. Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy The diamond mining industry has become an important engine of growth in the Northwest Territories (NWT) with a significant contribution to the Canadian economy. Over the next 20 years, the diamond industry in the NWT will generate an estimated 1,500 jobs. The Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy (IMSS) will ensure that Aboriginal peoples living in NWT will take full advantage of the employment opportunities in the mining industry. It is expected to create 380 long-term jobs for Aboriginal peoples in the NWT mining industry. As the first mine training facility in the NWT with mining equipment simulators, this initiative aims to provide Aboriginal peoples and other Northerners who lack the necessary skills with the required capacity to access industrial-based jobs in the mining industry. The three-tiered strategic approach to skills development involves: Education and Awareness - A key component is the Stay-In-School aspect, which reinforces to students that formal education is the best way to access careers in the mining industry. The IMSS partners representing industry, government and Aboriginal groups will visit schools across the NWT to present and explain the mining industry and opportunities for employment. A school-based curriculum and scholarship will form part of this component. Industrial Skills Development - This is the cornerstone of the IMSS that comprises short-term programs for Aboriginal peoples to access entry-level positions, and longer term programs aimed at increasing the number of skilled and journeyman tradespersons in the mining industry in the North. Industrial Mining Facilities - This will help to provide resources to build the first mine training facility in the NWT. Partnerships: The Mine Training Society (MTS) is a partnership consortium consisting of the following partners: Aboriginal Groups: Yellowknives Dene First Nation Dogrib Treaty 11 Council (Tli Cho Government) Lutsel K'e Dene Council North Slave Métis Alliance Industry: Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. De Beers Canada Mining Inc. BHP Billiton Government: NWT's Department of Education, Culture and Employment Funding: The total estimated budget for the NWT IMSS is $39,990,000, of which $14,886,100 will be available from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's ASEP program through a signed contribution agreement.
