Aboriginal youth looking for information on the mining industry will now have descriptions at their fingertips after the province launched an information campaign Tuesday.
The Earth Series has detailed descriptions on job descriptions from geologists to cooks involved with the mining sector. Minster Michael Gravelle (Lib. Thunder Bay-Superior North) said 90,000 jobs are out there already for people and the shortage is expected to continue as speculation over the Ring of Fire grows.
"Because there are so many we think it can be a bit of a challenge in terms of finding a path forward," Gravelle said. "By creating this material…it will provide that information to our aboriginal communities and our aboriginal young people."
The information, available on paper and online, features over 80 jobs with details on what training is required, what’s expected in the position and what opportunities are available. Speaking at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School Tuesday, Gravelle said the $22,000 campaign is a small price to pay for the expected benefit of getting Aboriginal youth involved in the mining industry.
"There are so many choices that are there this was a rather modest investment in providing material for our Aboriginal youth," Gravelle said. "The real proof in the pudding will be when the jobs are there and people are positioned to take them."
The Earth Series comes from a recommendation by the Ontario Mineral Industry Cluster Council. Matawa economic development manager Brian Davey helped make the recommendation. He said easily accessable details about the mining industry are important for everyone in Northwestern Ontario.
"They want to know exactly what is being discussed, what is being developed Davey said. "They don’t want to miss out not like before and I’m not just referring to First Nations communities. Everybody in Northwestern Ontario wants information."
Like Gravelle, Davey said the success of the program will be measured by how many Aboriginal people are hired by minig companies. Davey and Gravelle both said the mining industry is already the number one private sector employer of Aboriginal people across the country.
"We cannot just train people then set them free once the government subsidies run out we need a strong commitment that companies are prepared to keep them once they’re trained," said Davey.
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