There are only a couple of weeks to go until The Big Event takes over the city.
The Canadian Mining Expo is slated for June 6 and 7 at the McIntyre Arena in Timmins, and organizers have a bigger event than last year lined up.
Along with the popular vendors and exhibits, this year’s expo also features a career fair, Big Social, and more.
“We started working with a group of education facilitators and training institutes in the Timmins area and throughout northeastern Ontario. And we’ve been hearing this for the last five years, that there’s definitely going to be a shortage of workers if we don’t start educating our kids that there is a career,” said Glenn Dredhart, the president of Canadian Trade-Ex, which organizes the show.
There are always opportunity in mining, and he said it’s changing.
“Mining is just bigger than going underground and mining the rock so we definitely will need those workers. This event will lend a hand so that we can educate the kids coming out of Grade 11 and 12 and kind of sway them a little bit towards this industry and get them excited about a career,” he said.
To give a better picture of the jobs that will be needed in the coming years, the Far Northeast Training Board is also going to be revealing the results of its 10-year forecast for the mining sector.
It covers Timmins, the Highway 11 corridor from Hearst to Latchford, from Kirkland Lake to the Quebec border, Chapleau, Hornepayne and communities along the James Bay coast.
When it was launched last year, it was explained that the forecast will identify occupations of interest and build profiles that include skill sets, experience level, and technological requirements for jobs.
While the results aren’t available yet, some teasers included in the expo guide include that there are an anticipated 1,932 retirements and 887 jobs in anticipated expansion.
For the career fair, Far Northeast Training Board executive Julie Joncas said almost 800 students from across the region in Grades 6 to 12 will be attending.
“As cyclical as the industry is, I think it’s part of our culture, it’s part of Northern Ontario and will be for many years to come so we need to make sure that we promote those opportunities to our young people,” Joncas said.
Always trying to grow, Dredhart talked about another fun piece they’re working on.
“We want to see more activity on the grounds, so we’re asking some of our lead manufacturers that are making the trip to Timmins to spend a little extra money and have a piece of equipment do some operating so that the guys can see the new stuff put through its paces,” he said.
Here’s what else you need to know about the show:
• The show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7. Opening ceremonies are June 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the jackleg rocks.
• A one-day discover prospecting workshop is being offered June 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“As everyone knows, Timmins is mining and to have mines you need exploration and the heart of exploration is prospecting,” said Bill MacRae of the Porcupine Prospectors and Developers Association president. He explained that the day will teach you about the basics of prospecting, the intricacies of land acquisition, and more. Pre-register at www.porcupineprospectors.com/
• Demonstrations – there will be three locations for live demonstration at this year’s show. You can see new equipment lines and talk to manufacturers.
• Assessing the Role of Impact Benefit Agreements – Hosted by the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, the Aboriginal forum will talk about the IBA and its challenges and advantages. It’s being held June 7 in the McIntyre Community Centre auditorium. Register in advance at events.aboriginalforum.com/home.
For more details, visit canadianminingexpo.com.
