Fourteen First Nation students from Webequie First Nation graduated from the Mining Essentials training program.

Mining Essentials is a pre-employment training program. It's designed to teach essential and work readiness skills to those considering entry level positions in the mining industry through a mixuture of classroom learning and hands-on experience.

Webequie First Nation is the closest community to the Ring of Fire exploration camps in the James Bay lowlands.

The program was delivered through the Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute in Thunder Bay. Instruction was provided through Sudbury's Cambrian College.

“With an aging workforce, it's critical we continue to attract qualified individuals,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer. “Oshki-Pimache-O-Win is working together with industry and government to ensure that learners get the head start they need for successful careers in one of the province's key industries.”

Students were given the opportunity to visit the exploration camp of Cliffs Natural Resources.

“With the development of the Cliffs Chromite Project, the Mining Essentials program is a wonderful opportunity for our company to work directly with First Nations students from surrounding communities.”

http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/2013/05/Webequie-trains-up-for-mine-development.aspx

That's grrreat!....but what do they do in the interim for the next three-four years?