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First Nation, college, miner partner on training

Wahgoshig First Nation , Northern College and Primero Mining Corp. have collaborated to offer common core underground training to members of the First Nation, located near Matheson, east of Timmins.
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Pictured are, from left, Dave Babin, chief of the Wahgoshig First Nation; Dan Gagnon, general manager of the Primero Black Fox Complex.; Northern College president Fred Gibbons; and Graham Reid, manager of health, safety and the environment at Primero.

Wahgoshig First Nation, Northern College and Primero Mining Corp. have collaborated to offer common core underground training to members of the First Nation, located near Matheson, east of Timmins.

Under the partnership, members of the Wahgoshig First Nation will be able to earn certification in basic underground hard rock miner common core training. The 14-week program will serve two cohorts of six students each.

“At Northern College, we are driven by our commitment to increasing access to educational opportunities for members of Indigenous communities,” said Christine Heavens, executive director of Community, Business Development and Employment Services at Northern College, in a release. 

“That’s why we’re delighted to be working with Wahgoshig First Nation and Primero to increase access to our world-renowned common core training.”

The cost of tuition is will be covered by the Aboriginal Economic Development Fund, while Wahgoshig will cover daily transportation to and from the training site, along with additional student support.

“We’re very excited to be working with Primero and Northern College to provide these opportunities for members of our community to take advantage of the significant industrial developments occurring in our area,” said Chief Dave Babin of Wahgoshig First Nation. “This is an excellent example of how partnerships between First Nations, industry and training providers will lead to prosperity for our region.”

“We’re proud of the relationship we have established with Wahgoshig First Nation, and are happy to be expanding that relationship to include training opportunities,” said Graham Reid, manager for health, safety and environment, and security at Primero. “By working together to develop a stronger workforce, we’re creating an environment where everyone involved will enjoy the benefits of our collective success.”