A new program that is helping Inuit from Kivalliq communities take their first step into a career in underground mining has its first four graduates, who have already landed their first jobs in the mining industry.

On September 23rd, after 30 days of surface and underground training, Pelagie Niviatsiak, Stewart Aggark, Jerry Angidlik and Randy Kataluk completed Meliadine’s Underground Trainee Program.  In October, they began working at Meliadine as Class 2 Service Miners.

The next group of four trainees are starting classes on November 4th and should complete their training by mid December.

Philemon Desrochers-Gagnon, Mine Superintendent at Meliadine, says, “This program is specifically tailored to Inuit and provides them with extensive hands-on experience. The goal is to have the trainees ready to work after 30 days. So far, the students have been very enthusiastic about the program and we are contemplating offering it every month, rather than every two months.”

A key element of the program’s success was the financial support received from the Department of Family Services. The team at Family Services have worked hard to launch this initiative and Agnico Eagle highly value their guidance and partnership on this important endeavour.

The Underground Trainee Program consists of two 15-day paid training sessions, given by qualified Inuit trainer Albert Kimaliardjuk. Under his guidance, the students receive in-class and on-site training – learning how to drive 30-ton haul trucks on surface and underground, as well as job shadowing with skilled mining operators and other assignments.

Once they graduate from the Trainee Program, the Class 23 Service Miners enter Agnico Eagle Nunavut’s    Underground Mining Career Path, which will lead them to more opportunities and motivating challenges. The long-term goal is to fill every entry position of the Underground Mining Career Path with successful Inuit trainees, who can then take the next steps in their mining career.

Would the newly trained miners encourage others to take the Underground Trainee Program?     

Stewart Aggark: “All the miners are there to help you out and the training that they give is a big positive impact. It’s a different world underground, I like it!”

Randy Kataluk: “’Don’t be intimidated because it’s underground and working with big machinery. The support from the rest of the team, the trainers and the underground miners is incredible, I never thought we would get that much support”.

Jerry Angidlik: ‘’I’d tell them to go for it! It’s a good experience and they could have their career with Agnico Eagle.’’

Pelagie Niviatsiak: ‘’I would tell them to try because it is a good experience and a good challenge. It looks difficult but once you get into it, you get excited that you will be able to drive and go underground and become a miner.’’

Left to right: Pelagie Niviatsiak, Stewart Aggark, Jerry Angidlik, Albert Kimaliakyuk and Randy Kataluk.