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News Release |
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For Immediate Release
March 01, 2010
NWCC School of Exploration & Mining wins prestigious award
In conjunction with the Conference Board of Canada, the International Partnership Network (IPN) has awarded SEM a 2010 Global Best Award in the partnership category Developing Skills of the Future Workforce. SEM competed against entries from across North and South America to take top place for the partnership that founded and operates the school, a partnership between NWCC and Smithers Exploration Group (SEG), a Smithers-based organization dedicated to serving and promoting the mineral industry in Northwest British Columbia.
IPN, a diverse group of international organizations dedicated to supporting and promoting best practice partnerships around the world, awards Global Best Awards in four categories every two years. The awards recognize outstanding and effective joint ventures among business, education and community organizations worldwide.
“The School of Exploration & Mining has shared an important and mutually beneficial partnership with the Smithers Exploration Group and the Province of B.C. since the school was first developed in 2004. Since then, it’s worked intimately and successfully with numerous First Nations communities, almost 60 private businesses and various other organizations,” explains Margo Van der Touw, who oversees SEM through her role as NWCC’s Dean of Continuing Education & Industry Training. “It’s these connections and the support these organizations offer that allow NWCC to provide unmatched training opportunities for work in the mining & exploration industries, and to supply the industry with locally trained and certified staff.”
“The School of Exploration & Mining has taken a number of innovative approaches to meet the training needs of local industry and students, including the employment of advanced technology; the implementation of cutting edge, hands-on curriculum; and as this award recognizes, the development of meaningful, transformative relationships,” said NWCC president Stephanie Forsyth. “We are proud to receive this award because it recognizes a unique element of the school and its success.”
"SEM is a two-way relationship for Smithers Exploration Group. We are involved in the day-to-day operation of the school and many of our members have participated in program design and as guest lecturers," says SEG president Rob Boyce. "As representatives of the industry in northern BC, SEG also sees the benefits of helping build capacity among the First Nations, on whose traditional territories many of us work, and opening doors for them to jobs in the minerals industry."
The connection between SEG and SEM was also recognized in January 2010 when Judi L’Orsa, a geologist from SEG, won the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC)’s Robert. R. Hedley Award for her many contributions to SEM. The award acknowledges excellence in social and environmental responsibility.
SEM's award in the IPC partnership category qualifies the school’s chance to participate in two higher-level competitions at an IPC conference in Toronto at the end of April 2010. The school will also present at the conference.
The NWCC School of Exploration & Mining develops industry-related courses and programs and offers training in various areas of mining and exploration.
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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
or
Christine Ogryzlo
Communications Director
Smithers Exploration Group
Phone: 250.845.9118