LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - A new crop of future miners are ready for work thanks to a new pilot project at Aurora College.

Ten students participated in a six-week Introduction to Underground Mining program and instructors were impressed with their progress.

Participants in the pilot project Introduction to Underground Mining held in Fort Simpson include, front row from left: Jason Villeneuve, Andrew Sewi and Raymond Tanche; back row: Joseph Gargan, instructor Pat Tymchatyn, Benjamin Harris, Janine Champagne, Angela Tsetso, Peter Hardisty and James Simon. Not seen is Leo Norwegian Jr. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

On the first day of classes on Nov. 5 at the college campus in Fort Simpson 90 per cent of the students didn't know what it meant to work at a mine, said Kate Bruce, the instructor for mining programs with Aurora College.

On Dec. 14, after completing the course, the instructors were unable to come up with a mine-related question that the participants could not answer, Bruce added.

"These guys set the bar really high," she said.

The participants showed their enthusiasm through their attendance, she said. Students were only allowed two absences during the six weeks or risked being dismissed. All 10 participants who started the course finished.

Students left the course with a general overview of everything related to underground mining.

"They're an exceptional class," said instructor Pat Tymchatyn.

The course is the first part of a partnership project between Aurora College, the NWT Mine Training Society and various mining companies. The second half of the program is the 12-week Underground Miner Training program offered in Yellowknife. At the end of the programs, the students will be ready for entry-level positions at mines, said Bruce.

"They won't be signing up for a job blind," she said.

Fort Simpson was the first community the program has been offered in. Some members of the Fort Simpson class will be continuing on to the longer program in Yellowknife that will be offered for the first time on Jan. 7.

Taking the program in the village was a way to try something new and interesting, said James Simon.

"I gained a lot of knowledge about mine life and how it works," he said.

While taking the course, Simon said he found out that working at a mine provides the chance to try a lot of different jobs other than being a miner.

"It's like a door of opportunity," he said.

The program was excellent, said Joseph Gargan.

"I'm really glad I was one of the first people to be in the program," Gargan said.

Obtaining a job at the mine is something that Janine Champagne is interested in. She originally signed up for the program to experience something new.

"It's been rewarding," she said.

Champagne said she's now interested in driving haul trucks on the surface of a mine.

From the class, Champagne along with Andrew Sewi, will have the chance to further their skills.

Both have been chosen to participate in the aboriginal mine training program offered by BHP Billiton and Procon starting in February.

"I'm pretty excited about it," she said.