Navigating a Clear Path
University College of the North
University College of the North offers more than 40 degree, diploma and certificate programs. Here you’ll discover a college and a university that meets the unique learning needs of northern Manitoba.
Desiree Mallett understands the value of
because of the pandemic. Five months
learning. The 39-year-old mother of three
later, with a new list of precautions
is a life-long resident of the northern town
in place, training resumed, leading to
of Wabowden, which has a population of
graduation for Desiree and six other
about 400. She’s already finished studies
dedicated participants.
in programs including Mineral Processing and Business Administration.
A natural leader in the class, other
“I wanted something to help out in the
during classroom discussions.
long run, such as working toward a career in the mining industry,” she explains. Her education came from University College of the North (UCN) and the Northern Manitoba Mining Academy
students would often defer to Desiree
“As a woman, you can do just as much
as a man,” she says, “I learned not to be
scared because these jobs are not just for men.”
Take your next steps at UCN.
(NMMA), a division of UCN.
Desiree is one of the graduates from the initial Wilderness Safety Training cohort offered in Wabowden. She recounts early program components, which included working on resumes and interview techniques with the Life Skills instructor. She is grateful for the opportunity to upgrade essential skills in numeracy, reading and writing with a Workplace Education Manitoba instructor which helped her “get back on track.” “Even the homework assignments were welcomed,” Desiree says. “It gave me an opportunity for me to work with my daughters on their homework at the same time.” Industry leader Vale Inc. approached UCN with an idea to help fund a training program for northern Manitoba residents in fall of 2019. The goal was to give students the knowledge and skills to fill some of the anticipated employment opportunities forecasted within the mining and resource industries. Nine months
Manitoba Mining Review 2020-2021
Safety Training program to provide basic safety, survival, navigation and camp skills for individuals seeking employment in prospecting, exploration, forestry, surveying or other wilderness-based industries. Courses in first aid, chainsaw safety, ATV operation, and safe boating all form part of the program curriculum. Desiree’s favourite classes were Basic Navigation and Wilderness Survival, where students learned how to read maps, use a GPS, and build shelters in the bush. “There’s a lot of good skills and certificates that you can add to your resume,” she says. “It’s perfect for people who want to get into mining, line-cutting, prospecting, fishing, etc.” As part of the Look North initiative, the program was a collaborative effort from partners including Vale Inc., Communities Economic Development Fund (CEDF), Manitoba Skills & Employment Partnerships, Workplace Education Manitoba, UCN and the Wabowden
later, including an unplanned pandemic
Community Council. Planning and
pause in learning activities, Desiree
discussions with other communities
is amongst the first graduates of the
have been ongoing, with the next cohort
Wilderness Safety Training program.
slated to begin in Thompson at the end of
After starting in early February, a decision
24
UCN’s NMMA coordinated the Wilderness
September 2020.
was made in mid-March to pause the
And as for Desiree, she has her career
program, prioritizing for health and safety
sights firmly fixed. 6
