THUNDER BAY – Brian Davey knows it is important to have a First Nations workforce skilled and trained in the proper areas to be ready to take advantage of future mining opportunities.
The executive director of the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund said right now some people are getting training for jobs that don’t exist, which doesn’t provide any benefit to the industry, communities or the people.
“What’s so important is to know the specifications of what’s required, not only from the business side but what do we need in terms of labour and professional people that is required in the industry,” Davey said.
“I don’t want anybody getting trained and looking for a job or business opportunity. We don’t need that.”
That’s a primary function of the organization’s annual Mining Readiness Summit, which brought together nearly 150 people with companies and other industry stakeholders at the Valhalla Inn on Tuesday.
Attendees can meet with potential employers to learn about specific job opportunities and the training and preparation required to fill those jobs.
The conference also allows various businesses with the chance to network and explore whether they can play a role in the industry.
“We have a lot of First Nations people here that are in business who want to be in mining. There are also some companies who want to form those partnerships to take advantage of the opportunities created by mining,” Davey said.
Frank McKay, president of Windigo Community Development Corporation, said there are already clear examples of how working with the mining industry can benefit First Nations communities.
He cites work done at Goldcorp’s Musselwhite Mine, where there was involvement in road construction as well as both above and underground work, as a case of where there is successful collaboration.
“We need to know what that industry will bring to our community. We’ve always had companies come in and take what they want and then leave. Of course we don’t get the benefits from that,” McKay said.
“However, if we work with that company we can maximize our benefits.”
