KAMLOOPS, BC, March 21, 2013 /CNW/ – In three fast years, BC Aboriginal Mine Training (BC AMTA) has partnered with government, First Nations and the BC Mining industry to support, train and recruit Aboriginal people. On March 20, 2013 they reached a milestone of placing 500 men and women from First Nations communities across the province into sustainable mining-related careers.
With 25 percent of the mining workforce scheduled to retire within the next five years and 1200 Aboriginal communities within 200 kilometres of an operating mine or exploration project1, BC AMTA has set in motion an achievable process that proves a new way of doing business with First Nations is possible.
Those possibilities include training and placing more Aboriginal people into mining careers as new offices open up across the province to meet industry demand. New BC AMTA regional offices include New Aiyansh (Terrace) and Merritt, to complement existing operations in Kamloops, Cranbrook and Williams Lake.
Communities are generating economic health through increased education and employment. “I wanted to become employable and to get a job so my husband and I could stop struggling, and dream of financial freedom,” says Iona Chelsea2, a recent graduate of the Mining Skills for an Entry Level Workforce. The ripple effect of Iona’s commitment to education has inspired her daughter as well – they now enjoy time studying together.