DIAND assists NWT in training miners

The Northwest Territories will receive $212,500 from the federal Department of Indian and Northern Development to train miners.

A portion of the funds will be used to set up an apprenticeship program for Aboriginal people. Twenty graduates from an earlier, construction training program will be selected for apprenticeship.

The new program is a partnership among the territorial government, Diavik Diamond Mines, Deton Cho Corp., the Dene First Nation, and Edmonton-based PTI/Travco.

“The mining industry is ensuring that more and more Aboriginal Northerners are trained and ready to take on a variety of jobs, especially in the trades,” says Darrell Beaulieu, co-chair of the training committee set up to administer this and other programs.

The total cost of the apprenticeship program is $940,000.

The training committee consists of representatives from industry, Aboriginal groups, the federal and territorial governments, and Yellowknife-based Aurora College.