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What advice would you give someone considering going into mining as a career? What skills and attributes do they need to succeed?
Mineral exploration and mining are important economic drivers for British Columbia and demand for workers in the mining industry is going to increase. Help make sure the lessons of the current generation of mining professionals are passed to the next. This question is currently open for discussion.
TOPIC:
MINING
I’m not going to get into any anti-mining political nonsense.
If you want a job in mining as a professional (accountant, engineer, geologist, geophysicist, etc) you need to know someone. The majority of jobs are never posted online. Then companies wonder why they cant find people!?!?!?!
Networking is the key even for tradespeople too. A lot of mining jobs for trades are internal only. The best option for young people just out of high school is to graduate from high school and apply to be anything at a mine. Core cutter, shuttle bus driver, garbage collection, etc. Then go from there.
If you are a professional (or nearing the end of your degree or even in 2nd year) go to the Mineral Exploration Roundup held annually in Vancouver. It is super expensive even for one day registration. Register for the trade show evn if nothing else. If you are a student make sure you email EARLY (like november or december) for a volunteer position because then you get in for free.Take your resumes, dress well (but not too formally) and network, take names, take numbers, take email addresses and keep in touch with as many as you can.
I’ve never got a job via a job posting. If you can get to know people and you are in the industry people will find you. Get your name out there. Be persistent especially with smaller exploration companies because they dont usually figure out their money and budget until the last minute.
Never expect to stay in the same job for more than 6-12months. Always have an updated resume on hand. Unless you get work with Newmont, Teck, New Gold (i.e. a larger company). Expect to travel and be willing to travel. If you are with a junior or medium company you will have crappy travel schedules. Do your time.
There is a BAD shortage of mid-level folk in professional and trades roles. That means if you get in you need to learn as much as possible and be willing to take on a steep learning curve.
I know lots of trades people in mining who were laid off from forestry, pulp, etc. The comments here about taking talented unemployed tradespeople not being utilized are baffling. If they make the effort and are willing to travel they will find work.
If you make the effort and are willing to try the opportunites are there.
my email was wrong on the last comment. please reply on this comment. so i get a notice on my email. thank u
More mines, more money, more problems. Mines poison watersheds.
What is the government doing to decrease our province’s reliance on mining and other dirty, unsustainable energy resources? Why can’t we create jobs and economic growth in tidal energy, wind energy, or geothermal energy? Independent energy producers have initiation such projects but they have not been able to gain the rights to continue with their ventures. Perhaps it’s time to take these green energy ventures more seriously? It is the government’s obligation to support such projects that would be beneficial to all citizens of B.C., including future generations.
Hi Karolina,
Thanks for commenting. There has certainly been a lot of interest in clean energy opportunities shared in our different discussion topics. I’m going to look into the specific examples you included. In the meantime, you may be interested in the discussion summary we have on another related topic. It highlights what we heard from British Columbians about exploring investments in renewable energy and shares some of the initiatives already being undertaken.
Hi Karolina,
There are currently several ways that the government is supporting clean energy development across BC. The Innovative Clean Energy Fund funds pre-commercial energy technologies including ones focused on renewable resources like biomass, ocean/hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal. There is additional information available on these energy sources on the Ministry of Environment’s page for Renewable Energy and Technologies. At the recent 2012 GLOBE Conference the Minister of Environment also reinforced how the Green Economy is fundamental to our provincial well-being both economically and environmentally. The news release for the event includes some recent clean tech success stories, funding information and related clean tech facts.
Given your interest in clean energy, I think you (and anyone else interested in this topic) might be interested in using govTogetherBC ‘s subscribe service to get notifications of opportunities to get involved on this topic.
I am going to ask a question of the BC Jobs Plan.
How do we get the Mining Association of BC Labor Shortage Task Force interested in hiring laid off industrial workers with transferable skills? Any one have any answers? There are a lot of unemployed industrial workers over 30 who have valuable industrial experience but are being overlooked by the Mining Industry in BC.
It is important to remember that it is not only mining companies that hire when new mines come along -- consultant engineer firms like AMEC, Tetratech & Golder do the design work for mines; construction firms like Ledcor and Arthon receive building contracts (just take a look at the number of contractors working on Rio Tinto’s Kitimat expansion today!); environmental management firms like Bioteq, are hired to improve waste water quality; financial and legal firms (PWC) provide administrative services, and on and on. And these can be very high paying jobs. My advice is to not limit your focus on the geologist or haul truck positions; look at potential careers in the mining supply sector as well. As more mines come on-stream, the companies supporting mining operations will also be hiring.
It’s so fantastic that the BC mining industry is experiencing such growth, it will create many jobs and help strengthen BC’s economy over the long term.
When people discuss careers in the mining industry as a whole, it seems that the focus is entirely on the miners, technicians or trades people that work directly in the mine. These mine workers often need food and accommodations while on site, therefore there is a tremendous need for talented workers to fill positions such as cooks, administrators and housekeepers in support of the mine. There is an extremely large disconnect between these kind of job seekers and the remote service providers who service the mine sites. Many people are confused about where/when and how to apply for these support positions as the focus when talking about mines (as well as other resource industries) seems to exclude these kinds of positions.
Many support positions pay high wages and are appealing because of their flexible schedule and sense of adventure working in a remote place. Additionally, the education and training required for support positions is less than that of a miner, technician or trades person. As such, many of these positions can employ much of the local population, however, information on how to access these jobs is at a minimum.
I hope that the focus of mining jobs can shift slightly to include these valuable positions, as the food and these support workers are the heart of the camp.
I agree whole heartedly. People dont always realise that there are more mine support jobs than scoop, haul truck, geologist positions.
GO do a trade, after a few years then go and get a diploma in business management. University is a joke these days unless you are really passionate about a specific field, and want to keep going to get a PhD.
I live wayyy up north in the Tahltan area of BC in a town called Iskut, we have the Red Chris Mine, Galore Creek Mine, Shaft Creek Mine and many others in exploration to construction phases. Career advise…First, are you willing to be away from your family for long periods of time? E.g. 2 weeks at work 2 weeks at home. Second, understand what types of work are in the mining environment…there is heavy equipment operating, truck driving (class 1 drivers license), Management and Administration, Processing Mill positions and other niche stuff like lab testing, environmental monitoring etc. Sometimes the mine may be underground which require an extra set of skills but mainly this job is about getting in with the right contractor and being taught hands on. Having the skills is a big help to getting these mining jobs but also is finding someone who can elevate your chances of being selected, it helps to know someone to ease the hiring process for both the potential employee and employer. The $ is definitely good. Someone I know well who has high school level education works as an underground miner on a 3 and 3 (weeks) shift nets approx $7000 a month after tax
I live near Kamloops where Mining has become a huge topic as we move closer to the reality of the Ajax open pit mine very close to the city limits. Of course those in favour of the mine are interested in the possibility of jobs. There’s no doubt that the mine will open up opportunities for employment. However, given the training and skills needed, I wonder how many of these jobs will be filled by Kamloops residents. And also, from what I understand, most of the work is in the early phase of the project, so jobs are short term.
I was glad to see this forum. Although I understand the question is geared more to preparing for jobs in the mining industry, I would be interested in any insights into the employment aspect of mining projects in general. I think those in favour of the Ajax mine project in the Kamloops area need to be better informed about the benefits for the local residents — job opportunities being used as a core argument in favour of the mine when in reality this could be false hope.
Mining doesnt just bring jobs directly. Cambridge Bay in Nunavut recently lost a lot of jobs when the Hope Bay project went on care and maintenance earlier this year. Locals lost jobs directly at the mine. But businesses and locals in Cambridge Bay also lost out on huge business opportunities since there are no longer crews passing through the town. No longer the opportunities to see local food like muskox and arctic char. No longer the money coming into the local airport in the form of “tourist” money from the mine employees passing through.
Think bigger picture. Jobs are not just created in the mine itself. There is a wider effect. Especially for hotels!!!!!
The Mineral Exploration and Mining Strategy was released this week. Mineral exploration and mining are important economic drivers for British Columbia. Production value is expected to increase because worldwide demand for coal, metals and industrial minerals is expected to rise even more with continued growth in China and India.
Mineral exploration, mining and related sectors provide long-term jobs and versatile career options to tens of thousands of British Columbians, and will provide employment for many more in the future. The mining sector, like almost every other sector, faces a series of challenges in making sure it has the right people, with the right skills, in the right places.
BC’s growing mineral exploration and mining sector offers tremendous opportunities for workers with the right skills. BC miners earn an average annual salary of over $108,000 , including benefits. More than 15,000 job openings are expected in the industry. Companies face significant challenges in both recruitment and retention.
Some quick stats help highlight the challenge:
• 50–54 year olds account for the largest share of all age groups in the mining industry at over 20 per cent. Nearly 5,000 retirements are expected for this sector over the next decade.
• More than one in five workers in the BC industry have a trades certification. It is estimated that starting in 2016 and through to 2020, the industry will face a significant shortage in over 80 trades.
• Because viable mineral and coal deposits can be found across the province, many exploration and mine development projects are in rural locations.
• The skill demands will be diverse and many new employees will need a higher level of training than in the past. Many new jobs will require post-secondary skills training, from advanced degrees in engineering to trades and apprenticeships to certifications for heavy equipment operators and truck drivers.
Have you considered a career in mining? Would you like to know more from those involved in the sector now? This discussion is an opportunity for those involved in BC’s mining sector to talk directly about their experiences and offer advice. We hope that discussion will provide considerations for those going into mining as a career. We need to do all we can to make sure the lessons of the current generation of mining professionals can be passed to the next.
Hello, Iam very interested in getting into the mining field. I have been working in the lumber industry for approx. 5 years now and need a change. I dont want to go to university and go into debt. Iam wondering if anyone knows of government funded programs that will give me the skills I need to get involved in this exciting field. Iam more interested in the exploration or heavy equipment operation?? Please help! Thank you!
Nadine
There is an association, BC AMTA, BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association, have a look on their website here: http://www.bcamta.ca/programs-services.
We have a list of post secondary institutions on our website: http://www.mining.bc.ca/mining_education_in_bc.htm. Have a look. I think College of New Caledonia may have a good program that would suit your purposes so might the others. As far as funding, you will have to check with the schools to see what they can offer.
Good luck!
Hi Claire. Are there any programs to help non Aboriginal Males born in Canada before 1982 who have transferable industrial skills find work in the BC Mining industry?
If it were me I think what I would do first is to contact the various mining companies in BC -- a list of the companies can be found on MABC website::http://www.mining.bc.ca/members. Depending on the type of transferrable skills the person has some of the companies may do their own training or they may recommend what training they feel would be necessary and/or recommend where to obtain the training. It would also be good to check the MABC Job Board to see what kinds of skills the miners are looking for. Don’t forget the mining sector includes not just the producing mines but all of the affiliated suppliers to the industry. It wouldn’t hurt to investigate those companies also. Many of the suppliers are listed on the Mining Suppliers of BC website: http://miningsuppliersbc.ca/membership/directory/
Thank You for your in depth reply Claire. A simple yes or no would have clearly answered my question. What I am getting from your lengthy reply is that in fact the answer is NO. There are no programs to help non aboriginal men born in Canada before 1982 find employment in the BC mining industry. Once again, thank you for clarifying this.