Introduction

Goodman School of Mines aims to provide short-term, non-credit and post-graduate programming teaching technical skills, working competencies, and behavioural skills aimed at mining industry professionals who wish to advance to the next level in their career.

The Mining Industry is facing a severe skills shortage.

Up to 40% of the workforce is expected to retire.

As many as 40% of the people currently working in mining and metals are expected to retire over the next few years. The availability of skilled workers who are ready to fill these retirement roles does not meet the demand. A concerning gap is being created. Less experienced professionals will be promoted to fill higher-level roles and they will not have had the experience and the learned skills to perform well in these positions.

60,000 – 130,000 new workers will be needed.

The Mining Industry Human Resources Council forecasts that between 60,000 and 130,000 new workers will be needed and the input of younger people pursuing mining-related careers is dropping. (https://www.mihr.ca)

There is a growing need in the mining industry for incoming professionals to possess a variety of working skills, competencies, and behaviours that most are currently not learning during their post-secondary education. Mining and exploration companies are left with teaching these skills on the job. Considering that professionals commonly, or are often required to, change companies during their career, an external educational provider that monitors individuals’ skills and ensures that they are given the proper tools to succeed will benefit the quality of professionals in the mining industry.

Mining Companies

Mining companies need highly skilled employees at all levels to be successful.

Mining Professionals

People need the right combination of training, behaviours, and competencies to be successful in their career.

Career Path Mapping

The Goodman School of Mines Career Path Mapping Program will help mining companies meet their highly qualified personnel needs by providing training to professionals enabling them to make quality technical, social, and commercial decisions as they advance through the roles of their careers.

Creating Career Maps and Discovering Training Needs

Four Careers

Four careers have been selected based on current program offerings at Laurentian University: Mine Geologist, Exploration Geologist, Engineer in Mining, and Environmental Scientist in Mining.

Collaborations

The Goodman School of Mines is committed to working closely with mining companies and professionals to create career path maps that meet the needs of professionals in the industry.

Research

We will acquire this information by holding interviews with experienced professionals in their field, gathering data from our survey, and meeting with Human Resource representatives within mining, exploration, and consulting companies to gather information from industry experts.

Educational Partnerships

The Goodman School of Mines is seeking educational partners who excel in their areas of training and aim to offer the best professional development programs, specific to the career advancement of highly qualified professionals in mining.

If you are an education provider and would like to explore collaborating on this project, please email GSM’s program coordinator, Nicole Tardif at ntardif@laurentian.ca.