More training opportunities are coming to the region thanks to a freshly inked Memorandum of Understanding between BHP and Carlton Trail College to enhance educational and training opportunities for the Saskatchewan Mining Industry. 

For several years, the mining giant has worked with the well-established college to deliver pre-apprenticeship and related industry training. The MOU advances the partnership and lays the next step for expanded training opportunities. 

The programming will use existing provincial curriculum that will expand to an industry-leading, immersive training program. One such avenue is Carlton Trail College’s Mining Essentials which was created in 2010 by the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). 

“This is a very exciting time for the province of Saskatchewan with several projects, like BHP’s Jansen potash mine driving economic growth. At Jansen alone we have 800 site-based roles. The opportunity for people of all backgrounds to build a meaningful and rewarding career in the trades is immense – and access to training in local communities helps open the door,” said Graham Reynolds, General Manager of Operational Readiness, BHP. 

“The demand for skilled tradespeople, especially in the mining industry, will only increase in the coming years,” said Amy Yeager, Carlton Trail College President and CEO. “By focusing on training for trades that are needed now and into the future, this partnership offers an exciting opportunity to enhance our impact, work more cooperatively with industry and contribute to a stronger Saskatchewan.” 

Carlton Trail College is already a trusted provider of training and workforce development solutions to some of the labour force challenges that are being experienced. By working together in a more coordinated manner with BHP and others, the partnership looks towards the future as it seeks to establish a responsive, long-term industry training model to build an inclusive, skilled and sustainable mining workforce.