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News Release |
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For Immediate Release
June 01, 2010
NWCC Mining Program Wins Premier’s Award
“Tonight’s ceremony recognizes public service employees whose contributions and accomplishments benefit all British Columbians,” says Premier Campbell in a news release from the Office of the Premier. “These employees think big, have achieved exceptional results, and have made a positive difference not just in their communities but across the province.”
The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources led the partnership behind SEM’s RAP program. The partnership included a strong federal presence from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, First Nations, SEM's industry partner Smithers Exploration Group, and companies such as Huckleberry Mines.
The program was the recipient of the partnership award in the northern region and overall in BC.
“We are overjoyed. The School has worked very hard to provide exceptional quality training and our partners are at the heart of our successes,” says NWCC President Stephanie Forsyth. “Our partnerships are essential to SEM’s unique program development and delivery.”
SEM develops industry-related courses and programs, and offers training in various areas of mining and exploration. In 2007 and 2008, the two-year RAP program trained and prepared First Nations students to work in the exploration and mining industry. Students lived and learned in real-life bush camp conditions.
One year after the first RAP program, 85% of the First Nations graduates were employed or had returned to school.
"The RAP program was an excellent example of how organizations with diverse goals can work really effectively together on a single project," says Smithers Exploration Group president Rob Boyce.
Both SEM and the RAP program have won numerous awards for leadership, environmental excellence and partnerships. SEM’s most recent award was the 2010 Global Award for Partnership from the Conference Board of Canada, a not-for profit research organization, and the International Partnership Network (IPN), a group of international organizations dedicated to supporting and promoting best practice partnerships around the world.
For more information go to sem.nwcc.bc.ca
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For more information contact:
Margo Van der Touw
Dean of Trades, Continuing Education & Industry Training
Northwest Community College
Phone: 250.638.5414
Toll-Free: 1.877.277.2288 Ext. 5414