Member of Parliament for Yukon Ryan Leef poses with students in front of a portable mine equipment simulator.
Whitehorse, Yukon (November 8, 2011) – The Yukon mining industry will benefit from a wider pool of local skilled equipment operators thanks to the arrival of six mining simulator modules announced Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister of Health.
"Building on the Government of Canada's 2009 investments into the mining simulator program, this funding will provide local training opportunities for Yukoners to ensure they have the necessary skills to meet the short and long-term labour needs of the territory's growing mining industry," said Mr. Leef.
"Locally delivered training programs for the Yukon mining sector will provide Yukoners, and specifically Yukon First Nations, with opportunities to take advantage of jobs in their communities, creating a locally skilled labour force," said Minister Aglukkaq.
CanNor's investment will enable the YMTA to purchase simulator modules to support the simulation of six types of equipment related to mining. The modules were selected based on consultations with employers to address identified labour shortages in skilled equipment operators.
"The YMTA is pleased to be able to further expand our range of mine training programs delivered in the Yukon," said Sascha Weber, Executive Director of the YMTA. "The addition of new simulator modules will assist the YMTA to more effectively respond to industry's needs for skilled employees through the development and delivery of customized programs."
Funding for this program 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 programs within CanNor. CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada's economic development programs across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.
Backgrounder - Harper Government supports mining simulator program to address skills shortage
Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan and Canada's Northern Strategy.
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Cailin Rodgers
(613) 957-0200
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Erin Macpherson
Communications Advisor
867-667-3849
Yukon Mine Training Association
Sascha Weber
Executive Director
867-633-6463
