Yellowknife (Apr 16/03) - De Beers has taken its first concrete step toward putting a trades workforce in place at its Snap Lake mine.

The Genesis Group's John Simpson: unique new training curriculum was developed specifically for the North. - Norm Poole/NNSL photo

Twenty-seven pre-apprentice applicants, most from Yellowknife, began 10 weeks of study last Monday in preparation for writing the government's Trades Entrance Exam.

They were chosen from nearly 80 applicants -- three times the number anticipated, said De Beers' Judy Langford.

"We didn't know what the response would be, but we expected 25 to 30 applicants when we began advertising," said Langford.

"We were very pleasantly surprised."

The 10-week prep course is being delivered at Aurora College in day and evening sessions by the Genesis Group, De Beers' human resources consultant.

"These are really top-notch people and for that reason we accepted twice the number of applicants we had initially planned for," said Genesis' John Simpson.

Genesis is utilizing a unique curriculum designed specifically as a trades exam primer for students with varying academic backgrounds.

"Some have Grade 9 and others have a year or two of college," said Simpson.

The tailored curriculum was a year in the making and is being delivered for the first time to the De Beers group.

It was developed jointly by Genesis, De Beers, Skills Canada, and the federal and territorial governments.

The three core study areas are math, science and reading comprehension.

"This initial course is in effect the pilot delivery for the curriculum. We are monitoring the results very closely for that reason."

Aurora College, high schools and community organizations have requested copies of the curriculum for their own delivery, he said.

"A lot of people will be using this material."

At this point, only four of the 27 applicants who pass the government trades exam will be offered apprenticeships with De Beers, said Langford.

The four will be employed by a De Beers subcontractor until the mine begins hiring its own trades people and apprentices, she said.

Snap Lake is scheduled to open in early 2006 and employ up to 450 people

Simpson said Genesis will arrange employment interviews for all other students passing the exam.

"De Beers is funding the program so they will have the first crack at hiring.

"I don't think the others will have difficulty finding work, but we will help wherever we can."