Mine Readiness Cohort #4

NMSC in Collaboration with UCN & Hudbay Minerals

Overview

In collaboration with UCN, Hudbay Minerals and the Northern Manitoba Sector Council (NMSC) coordinated the development and delivery of Industry Training – Mine Readiness in Flin Flon, MB for 10 participants from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Cormorant, MB and Moose Lake, MB. 

Hudbay Minerals identified an immediate workforce need and approached NMSC and UCN to jointly develop a training initiative that would prepare participants for employment opportunities in underground mining operations.  In response, the partners provided a 7 week Mine Readiness program that combines 4-week classroom instruction provided by UCN, Mine Readiness Program with practical workplace exposure to ensure participants gained both foundational knowledge and hands-on experience required for entry-level mining careers.  This was obtained through each student job shadowing for a period of 3 weeks at Lalor Mine in Snow Lake, MB.

Ten participants were selected out of a pool of over 160 applicants.  The first 4 weeks consisted of Mine Readiness training delivered at the Northern Mine Academy.  This comprehensive classroom component provided participants with essential knowledge of mining operations, safety practices, underground mining procedures, equipment awareness, workplace expectations, and industry certifications.  Following the classroom portion, participants completed a three-week job shadowing placement at Hudbay Minerals’ Lalor Mine in Snow Lake, MB.  During this placement, participants observed experienced underground mine workers, gained firsthand exposure to daily mining operations, and developed a practical workplace culture, safety protocols, and the skills required to succeed in the mining industry.

The NMSC provided a meal allowance to each participant throughout the entire program, provided Motel accommodation for each participant, and students were provided with an hourly wage during the hours they attended class and/or attended job shadowing. During the 3-week period that the students job shadowed at Lalor Mine Site, they were provided accommodations at camp.

Program/Project to Consist of the following:

• Start date of April 27, 2026.
• Four (4) weeks of Mine Readiness training, provided by UCN Mine Readiness Program.  Training took place at the Northern Manitoba Mine Academy situated in Flin Flon, MB
• Three (3) weeks of underground job shadowing at Lalor Mine, situated in Snow Lake, MB.
• Project completion date June 30, 2026.

Project Recruitment Overview:

1. Advertisement for this project took place from March 16^th – March 27^th, 2026.  UCN rolled out the advertisement using targeted social media platforms, and websites for all Project Partners, including UCN and NMSC.  Posters were distributed in targeted areas as well, including Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Cormorant and Moose Lake, MB. 
2. Terry Kaduchuk (NMSC, Indigenous Liaison and Paul Garrett Project Mentor visited both Northern communities (Moose Lake and Cormorant) to help applicants apply for the Project.
3. Applicant Deadline, March 27^th, 2026
4. Applicant Selections for Interviews (Kelsey Farkus (UCN), Alison Akert (NMSC) & Terry Kaduchuk (NMSC)
5. Interviews held @ Northern Manitoba Mine Academy with selection committee, consisting of Alison Akert (NMSC), Terry Kaduchuk (NMSC), Kelsey Farkus (UCN), Jamie Grant (UCN), Kim Holmstrem (HudBay Minerals) and Kyla Rierson (HudBay Minerals) and Brady Wiwarchuk-Roy (Hudbay Minerals). Interviews were held on April 9^th & 10^th, 2026 @ Northern Mining Academy in Flin Flon, MB.
6. All selections were completed on this day, April 10^th, 2026.
7. Participants that were chosen to participate were from the targeted areas:

7 – OCN members

2 – Cormorant

1 – Moose Lake member

• We had 165 applications for this Project.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE APPLICANT PROCESSING/SELECTIONS

Interest in the program was not a factor – no recommendations.

PROJECT MENTOR/JOB COACH/TRAINING COACH

Paul Garrett was hired to oversee the 10 students selected to participate in this program.  Paul comes to us with an extensive background, working his entire career for Hudbay Minerals.  Paul did an excellent job overseeing all students and supporting them when needed.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE MENTOR/JOB COACH PROCESS

No issues/problems throughout the project – no recommendations.

TRAINING SCHEDULE – 4 Weeks:

Week 1

Life Skills, instructed by Walt Marlow (UCN)

Week 2/3/4

• VR Scaling at heights
• Mewp Manlift
• Forklift
• Mining Fundamentals
• Surface and underground induction
• WHIMS
• Fall Arrest
• Lock Out/Tag Out
• Scaling Rock

Week 5, 6 & 7

• 3 weeks of 7-day shifts job shadowing underground at  Hudbay Minerals (Lalor Mine) in Snow Lake, MB.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE NORCAT/UCN MINE TRAINING

No issues/problems throughout the project – no recommendations.

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND REMARKS – FINAL OVERVIEW

We initially started this project with 10 participants, 8 males and 2 females.   7 of these participants belonged to Opaskwayak Cree Nation. 1 female from Moose Lake, MB and 2 participants from Cormorant.

All-in-classroom training for the entire duration of this project was held at the Northern Mine Academy (Flin Flon, MB).  The NMSC paid each student a peridium per day for a meal allowance, paid out to each participant on a weekly basis.  The students were paid an hourly wage of $18 dollars per hour that they attended the 4-week classroom portion of training and an hourly wage of $28 dollars per hour that they worked at Lalor mine job shadowing.  While the students attended the 4-week classroom training the NMSC had the students stay at a local motel (Oreland), during this time the stay went well with the exception of the final week where one participant did not respect the accommodations provided, after careful consideration and communication with the entire team, this student was removed from the program at the end of the 4-week classroom training.  The 9 remaining students moved on to the job shadowing portion of the program that took place at camp in Snow Lake, MB.

During the job shadowing portion of training all 9 students did exceptionally well, with no issues whatsoever.  Each student received phenomenal feedback from their supervisor at Lalor, and each student was presented with a job offer letter from Hudbay Minerals.

Graduation ceremony took place on June 30^th, 2026, at Hudbay Minerals Lalor Mine.  Everyone enjoyed the graduation ceremony with lunch provided by Hudbay Minerals.  The entire team was present to celebrate the 9 graduated students.