Latest Group of Surface Diamond Driller Assistant Common Core Graduates Ready to Enter The Workforce

KIRKLAND LAKE, ON: The latest group of students from Northern College’s Surface Diamond Driller Common Core program at the Kirkland Lake Campus is set to graduate on Friday, October 25th, 2013. The eight alumni-to-be are members of the Mushkegowuk Council, and have come from across northern Ontario to take the 10-week program.

During the ceremony, the Len Webster Memorial Award will be presented to a deserving graduate who has demonstrated strong people skills and is respectful of the culture of others. The award was established by the family of Len Webster, an instructor for the Surface Diamond Driller Assistant Common Core program who had over 30 years of experience as a professional contract driller. Webster emphasized the importance of team work and respect while working in a multicultural and multinational environment.

The newly established Atlas Copco Leadership in Drilling Award will be presented by Atlas Copco. The award, which recognizes a student who displays leadership skills, respect and a positive attitude, and is open to acquiring new skills in the diamond drilling industry, will include a $500 bursary.

Atlas Copco is a partner in the Surface Diamond Driller Assistant Common Core program, and has provided assistance and donations to the program. Other partners involved with the program include Foraco Canada, Cabo Drilling, Forage Orbit Garant Drilling, Levert Drilling, Major Drilling Group International, Boart Longyear, Kirkland Lake Gold, Osisko Mining and Canadian Driller Training.

“Our partnerships with members of the mining and drilling industry demonstrate the positive outcomes that can be achieved when colleges and industry work together to provide training,” said Fred Gibbons, President of Northern College. “By collaborating, we are able to tailor our programs to provide the specific skills and knowledge that industry wants. These sorts of partnerships benefit students, industry, and the broader community.”

The 10-week Northern College Haileybury School of Mines program teaches students the skills required to work as a helper to a Surface Diamond Drill Operator. Topics covered in the program include working safely, operating hand and power tools, environmental protection, recovering and handling core samples and operating snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

The graduation ceremony for the Surface Diamond Driller Assistant Common Core program will be held on Friday, October 25, 2013 in Kirkland Lake. The ceremony will incorporate traditional Aboriginal activities, including drummers. Northern College – Kirkland Lake Campus has trained a total of 170 graduates to date in the Surface Diamond Driller Assistant Common Core program.

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Media Contact:
Crystal Bresson
Manager, Marketing and Communications
705.235.3211 ext. 2253
bressonc@northern.on.ca