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BC – The B.C. Centre of Training Excellence in Mining (CTEM) has made it easier for British Columbians to train for careers in mineral exploration and mining, thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed recently by five public post-secondary institutions in the province.
“This pilot project will give more students the opportunity to take the first year of a diploma in mining and mineral exploration at five public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.,” says Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson.
The agreement initiates a pilot project that will offer students the opportunity to complete up to a full year of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) mineral exploration and mining technology diploma at the following institutions:
- The College of New Caledonia (CNC),
- Northwest Community College (NWCC),
- Okanagan College (OC) and
- Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
Students who complete the diploma program can also apply their education toward a degree in mining and mineral resources engineering at BCIT.
“This Memorandum of Understanding strengthens the relationship between public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia and the mineral exploration and development industry,” says Gavin C. Dirom, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia. “AME BC applauds and supports the B.C. Centre of Training Excellence in Mining and all participating institutions on helping to provide skilled workers for the dynamic mineral exploration and development industry, which provides career opportunities in more than 50 communities in all regions of B.C.”
CTEM was announced in November 2012 and launched on May 23, 2013. Hosted by NWCC, CTEM is a provincewide virtual hub that connects the mining and mineral industries, communities and public post-secondary institutions throughout the province to ensure students receive targeted training that will give them in-demand skills for these industries.
Since 2012, the Ministry of Advanced Education has provided $500,000 in operating support to CTEM for co-ordination of mining training at public post-secondary institutions in the province.
