Aboriginal Students Learn Mining Skills

MIRAMICHI – (NBCC) – Twelve Aboriginal students have successfully completed their studies in the Underground Mining Program at New Brunswick Community College’s (NBCC) Miramichi campus.

NBCC partnered with the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI), the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL) and Trevali Mining Corporation in this very exciting initiative which will see more skilled First Nation trades-people trained for a growing resource industry.

“We are aware that our demographics are changing and that Aboriginal peoples deserve opportunities to successfully participate in post-secondary education and in the labour market. Increasing accessibility to college for Aboriginal students is a win-win for everybody,” said Marilyn Luscombe, President and CEO, NBCC. “These twelve graduates are an excellent example of how partnerships can be used to foster enriching opportunities for individuals and communities.”

The students were selected by a board comprised of individuals from the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI) and Trevali Mining Corporation.

“The Halfmile mine has job opportunities open to Elsipogtog, Pabineau, Eel Ground, Esgenoopetitj, Eel River Bar and Metepenagiag First Nations,” said Alex Dedam, Chair, AWDI. “The Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative has made a significant financial investment in this project, and we look forward to the social, economic and community spin-offs that these jobs will bring to employees, their families, and their communities.”

“It is with great excitement that we look forward to our First Nation graduates’ completion of the Underground Mining Program and to their future employment,” said Terry Richardson, the Mi’gmag Benefits Manager for Trevali Mining Corporation.

One of the many priorities of NBCC is the continuing development of services and programs for the Aboriginal population of New Brunswick. NBCC strives to implement better and sustainable services to support the socio-economic needs of New Brunswick’s Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal people.

Pictured from left, back row: Ernest Peter Ward; Richard Jepson; Joseph Louis Ward; Michael Ward and fan; Matthew Simonson; Shannon D Summerville; Ronald Vincent Ward; Jonathan Boudreau; Elwood David Augustine

Front row: Michael Sark; Earnest Simon; Ryan Peter-Paul

MEDIA CONTACTS: Sonya Gilks, Communications, New Brunswick Community College, 506-444-3320; sonya.gilks@nbcc.ca; Mark Taylor, Communications Manager, Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI); (506)455-4591; taylor@awdi-nb.com

The twelve students are:

Elwood David Augustine

Michael Ward

Ronald Vincent Ward

Joseph Louis Ward

Ryan Peter-Paul

Jonathan Boudreau

Ernest Peter Ward

Richard Jepson

Earnest Simon

Shannon D Summerville

Matthew Simonson