Nunavut Arctic College

The graduation ceremony was a joyful event, with an opening drum dance involving elders, students, and course instructors. Assistant Instructor Ludovic Onerk later commented, “When I passed the drum to a student, it also represented a hand-over to all of them, in terms of working and succeeding in the industry.” Onerk has worked on diamond drills for over 20 years and is a certified diamond driller. Northern College’s David Gorman presented the graduates’ certificates to conclude the ceremony.

“We have had great support from our partner organizations, this is really a team effort.” said Arviat Mayor Bob Leonard. Agnico-Eagle Mines, Forage Orbit Garant and Boart Longyear contributed as the program’s industry partners. Significant funding contributions came from Nunavut’s Department of Economic Development and Transportation, The Kivalliq Inuit Association, and the Government of Canada’s Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program (ASEP). Nunavut Arctic College and Northern College are the cooperating educational institutions. The Hamlet of Arviat worked to coordinate activities on the ground and facilitated the creation of the program.

Graeme Dargo, the senior economic development coordinator for Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd, said “The Hamlet of Arviat wants to ensure that local Inuit can benefit from Agnico’s activities in the Kivalliq, and their approach is to develop community driven training programs that prepare people for opportunities.” Dargo stated, “There is a big demand for trained drillers in the mining industry and the Hamlet forged a partnership opportunity with Agnico-Eagle, drilling companies, colleges and government funding agencies to develop Nunavut’s first diamond drillers program.”  “Agnico-Eagle was pleased to be part of the Hamlet’s stellar effort”, he said and added, “The program provides certification to graduates that is recognized across Canada, and most importantly leads to jobs and income”.

During the 10 week program, students and instructors encountered numerous issues that threatened to affect the delivery of the course. These issues included weather delays, logistical mix-ups, and the migration of polar bears around the drill site. Despite the difficulties, the course was effective: the graduates have acquired all the required skills and knowledge to begin work in the drilling industry.

Course graduates now have immediate access to well-paying jobs as surface diamond driller helpers. With experience they can advance to work as a diamond driller, and will be qualified to work anywhere in Canada or the world. A second course is scheduled for February 2012 and is open to residents of other Kivalliq communities. It is anticipated that the course will continue to be offered at least twice a year, depending on industry demand and funding resources.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program (ASEP)

For further information contact:

John Main
Economic Development Officer
Hamlet of Arviat
867-857-2941
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