Amanda Vaughan
Northern News Services
Monday, August 6, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Kete Whii/Procon Mining is running a successful aboriginal mine training program where you get the job before you even take a lesson.

"We hire the students, and then train them," said Ron Burke, Procon's Aboriginal training co-ordinator. "By the time they are finished the program, they are already doing the work, and the only difference is the increase in pay."

Procon is contracted by BHP Billiton to do all of the underground mining at the Ekati Diamond Mine. BHP has made commitments to train Aboriginal people in the North's lucrative mining industry, and for Procon, this means running a unique on-the-job training program.

Procon receives resumes from all over the territory, and Burke said they try to spread out their selection of trainees, while still giving the jobs to the best candidates.

"We try not to take all six people from one community," Burke said.

The program takes six applicants at a time, providing nine weeks of training on a three-weeks-in three-weeks-out basis, thus stretching the total training out over 18 weeks. The program trains approximately 18 people a year, and has successfully trained 47 people so far, including four women.

"Our retention rate for the women is 100 per cent," Burke said, adding that Procon is very happy with the female employees, who are efficient, and well liked on the job site.

Burke also said that the training program has a 93 per cent success rate overall, another reason for Procon to celebrate.

"We are very happy with how it's going," he said.

The training happens underground in the mine, with about 20 per cent classroom time and 80 per cent hands on training according to Burke, with even the classroom setting down in the mine.

"(Underground mining) is not like you see on TV with just a little black hole in the ground," Burke laughed. He said the shafts are at least 16 feet by 16 feet and sometimes the ceiling of a work area can be up to 30 feet high, with reinforcements.

"You wouldn't even know you are underground in some of the areas," Burke said.

He said that the work in an underground facility is "highly mechanized, about 95 per cent machine operating and five per cent manual." The mines use a large variety of machines, including 45 ton trucks and loaders specially designed for the underground setting as well as crushers and conveyors in places.

"Most of the training is in equipment operation," Burke said, adding that the first segment of the training is learning about safety around the equipment and the mine.

Burke also said that Procon is now offering a 40-hour "life skills" training course called Ready to Work North, to its new hires.

"A lot of the trainees come from lower income situations to suddenly being paid very well in the mine," Burke said, adding that the life skills course teaches money management and problems that can come with work.

Many of the past trainees are doing well, though, Burke said.

"Some of our trainees have even gone on to get jobs in other mines," said Burke, adding that of course Procon doesn't like to lose its employees, but that it's a testament to the quality of the training to see the students taking their skills with them anywhere they want to go.