Harper Government Invests in Equipment Simulator Program for Yukon Mining Industry

"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.

For copies of CanNor news releases, visit: http://www.cannor.gc.ca.

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit and for more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit www.northernstrategy.ca/index-eng.asp.

Backgrounder

HARPER GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS MINING SIMULATOR PROGRAM TO ADDRESS SKILLS SHORTAGE

CanNor Funding: $1,317,638

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is investing $1,317,638 for the purchase of simulator modules (software and hardware) to support the simulation of six types of equipment related to mining, transportation, and construction.

In 2009/10, the Government of Canada invested $2,250,000 to the Yukon Mine Training Association (YMTA) for the purchase and installation of a portable mine equipment simulator and to support curriculum development of the YMTA's Mine Training Program.

Building on the success of this previous investment, this project will allow the YMTA to purchase six simulator modules that will provide training opportunities on six types of mining equipment such as surface graders and loaders, dump trucks and tractor trailers. Based on consultations with employers, the modules were selected to address labour shortages in skilled equipment operators.

Simulator equipment training allows trainees to get comfortable with the fundamentals of equipment operations in a low-cost, safe environment. Simulator training is also able to demonstrate unsafe operations, and teach accident prevention, something that could never be demonstrated in a real-world setting.

The Yukon Mine Training Association

The Yukon Mine Training Association (YMTA) is a partnership between Yukon's mining-and resource-related industries and First Nations. It is committed to working together to maximize employment opportunities emerging from the growth of the mining and related resource sectors in the North for First Nations and other Yukoners.

The YMTA was formed to develop mining-related skills within the Yukon workforce, especially among First Nations people living in smaller communities or rural areas that are closer to mineral development activities. Their goal is to maximize the benefits of mining for Yukon residents, businesses and governments, and ensure a supply of local skilled workers for mining projects.

CanNor Programs

This investment is made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) initiative, 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, research and advocacy.

Authors: mining - Yahoo! News Search Results

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