The Government of Northwest Territories in Canada has announced that it will invest CS$ 127,000 to support the Surface Miner Training Program Development project being developed by the Northwest Territories Mine Training Society and Aurora College in anticipation of a boom in employment opportunities in the mining sector from nest year.

The programme will build on the success of the existing Underground Miner Training Program in the Northwest Territories being run by the same institution. The college has adopted a collaborative approach towards funding with Canada's Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), the industry and government as partners.

The grant from the government will support the purchase of simulator equipment and the development of surface mine training curriculum.

Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, Leona Aglukkaq said, “Our Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Mining and exploration sectors are key employers and contributors to economic development in the territories. Building capacity in this sector will ensure Northerners have better access to quality training and jobs in their own communities."

Hilary Jones, General Manager, Mine Training Society, "The Mine Training Society and its partner, Aurora College, is appreciative of the investment by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency into the Surface mine simulators.  The surface mine simulators will complement the underground simulators.  These are creating a virtual mining school in the Northwest Territories to support training in the North.  With the opening of Gahcho Kué and other surface pits – we will be able to get ahead of the curve to train Aboriginal and Northern people to take advantage of the economic opportunity presented by resource development."