Sioux Lookout partnership virtually celebrates first graduates
Mike Lawrence - Staff Writer
The Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord Mining Centre of Excellence (SLFA-MCE) held a virtual graduation ceremony on February 2 for 25 students who completed a Mining Essentials Program, an AZ Professional Driver Program or Surface Diamond Driller Common Core Program. Graduates celebrated virtually along with family, friends, faculty and community leaders.
The programs were delivered in partnership with Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord Economic Development Corporation (SLFA-EDC) with funds provided by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, which supported the development of the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord Mining Centre of Excellence in collaboration with both Northern College’s Northern Training Division and Haileybury School of Mines.
Developed to support the growing mining sector in northwestern Ontario, the partnership encourages people impacted by the pandemic to participate in the growing mining sector workforce.
“These programs provide the necessary skills for graduates to successfully enter the mining sector workforce. Several graduates are already employed and well on their way to a long career,” commented Jakob Dockstator, Executive Director of Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord Economic Development Corporation. “We wish every graduate the best as they enter this new chapter and we are proud that they are the first alumni of our Mining Centre of Excellence.”
The ceremony was attended by representatives of all of the associated partnership programs, including Christine Heavens, Northern College’s Executive Director of Community, Business Development and Employment Services, Executive Director of Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord Economic Development Corporation, Jacob Dockstator, and the President and CEO of Northern College, Dr. Audrey J. Penner.
Speaking to the graduating students’ accomplishments, Penner stated, “We couldn’t be prouder of our students as we watch them take their next steps towards their professional life,” before adding, “These past years have been challenging. However, collaboration and partnership has allowed us to continue increasing First Nation participation, opportunities, and inclusiveness in regional area mining projects.”
