Navigating a clear path

University College of the North

University College of the North offers Desiree Mallett understands the value of learning. The 39-year-old mother of three because of the pandemic. Five months later, with a new list of precautions more than 40 degree, diploma and is a life-long resident of the northern town of Wabowden, which has a population of in place, training resumed, leading to graduation for Desiree and six other certificate programs. Here you’ll discover about 400. She’s already finished studies in programs including Mineral Processing dedicated participants. a college and a university that meets and Business Administration. A natural leader in the class, other students would often defer to Desiree the unique learning needs of northern “I wanted something to help out in the long run, such as working toward a career during classroom discussions. Manitoba. in the mining industry,” she explains. “As a woman, you can do just as much as a man,” she says, “I learned not to be Her education came from University scared because these jobs are not just for College of the North (UCN) and the men.” Take your next steps at UCN. Northern Manitoba Mining Academy (NMMA), a division of UCN. UCN’s NMMA coordinated the Wilderness Desiree is one of the graduates from the safety, survival, navigation and camp initial Wilderness Safety Training cohort skills for individuals seeking employment offered in Wabowden. She recounts early in prospecting, exploration, forestry, program components, which included surveying or other wilderness-based working on resumes and interview industries. Courses in first aid, chainsaw techniques with the Life Skills instructor. safety, ATV operation, and safe boating She is grateful for the opportunity to all form part of the program curriculum. upgrade essential skills in numeracy, reading and writing with a Workplace Education Manitoba instructor which Navigation and Wilderness Survival, where helped her “get back on track.” students learned how to read maps, use a

“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 later, including an unplanned pandemic pause in learning activities, Desiree is amongst the first graduates of the Wilderness Safety Training program.

After starting in early February, a decision was made in mid-March to pause the program, prioritizing for health and safety Safety Training program to provide basic Desiree’s favourite classes were Basic 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 Community Council. Planning and discussions with other communities have been ongoing, with the next cohort slated to begin in Thompson at the end of September 2020.

And as for Desiree, she has her career sights firmly fixed. 6