Inspiring the Next Generation to Consider an Exciting Career in Mining

The opportunities for the Ontario mining industry have arguably never been greater than they are now. There is a rising global demand for responsibly sourced critical minerals and metals mined in politically stable jurisdictions to power the green energy solutions that will help halt climate change. Ontario has enviable geology, significant existing production of nickel and copper, and vast untapped critical mineral potential. However, good geology isn’t enough - the sector needs good people. 

The Ontario Mining Association (OMA) is partnering with Edge Factor to empower companies, schools, and organizations across Ontario with This is Mine Life tools to inspire the future mining workforce! Together we have produced high-impact media that showcases the stories of people working in mining - their careers, technologies, and soft skills. Educators, companies, and families can share this program in classrooms, homes, and at events to inspire workforce excellence and encourage youth to consider launching a rewarding career in mining.

The Need is Great

Mining operations across Ontario currently do not have enough workers to maintain existing operations nor help Ontario reach its ambition of becoming a critical mineral supplier of choice for the green energy transition. According to a 2023 Mining Labour Market Research Study, funded by the Ontario Government’s Labour Market Partnership and completed by Ipsos and Prism Economics & Analysis, there are three compounding factors driving the significant hiring needs in the sector:

1. Skills gap: many mining careers require a unique skill set and mining companies in Ontario are challenged to find qualified candidates as baby boomers continue to retire.
   
   
2. Location of the work: the remote locations of mining operations make it more challenging to encourage youth to stay in, or move to, Northern Ontario.
   
   
3. Outdated perceptions: youth today tend to hold misperceptions of the industry as low-tech, unsafe, and environmentally damaging, hindering interest in entering the field. 
   

Together, the OMA and Edge Factor understand the tremendous need to share information and have real conversations about modern mining and what it is like to live in the northern areas of the province to cultivate a next-generation skilled workforce. 

“The mining industry is a vital driver of Ontario's economy. To support its continued success and future-facing ambition, it is crucial to cultivate a skilled workforce that can help meet 21st-century demands. The team at Edge Factor is excited to partner with the mining industry in Ontario to connect in a new and exciting way that inspires the next generation of mining professionals to find passion in what they do,” said Jeremy Bout, President and Founder of Edge Factor.

Ontario Mining Association President Chris Hodgson echoed this enthusiasm adding, “With the rising demand for the minerals and metals we responsibly produce here in Ontario, the future of our industry looks very bright. People are the ultimate resource to help us fulfill our purpose to power the green energy solutions of today and tomorrow. We’re excited to partner with Edge Factor because the need for fresh ideas to help build a robust talent pipeline has never been stronger. Through this partnership, we know we can reach the next generation to build knowledge, skill, and passion for what we do and its critical importance to society.”

This partnership is an Employment Ontario project, funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. By harnessing the power of storytelling, this partnership aims to inspire, educate, and shape the future of the mining industry in Ontario.

“Setting up the people of Ontario for success, both now and in the long-term, has always been at the core of our government's mission,” said George Pirie, Minister of Mines. “That is why we are proudly supporting the Ontario Mining Association and Edge Factor's initiative to inspire brilliant people across Ontario to be the skilled labourers of tomorrow and work in our world-class mining industry. Mining in Ontario is thriving, and the world needs us to build a made-in-Ontario critical mineral supply chain that will power the electric vehicle revolution and the technologies of tomorrow."
 

“Mining has been the backbone of Ontario’s economy for generations and will be for years to come,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government is proud to invest in this program which will help a new generation of miners find meaningful work while also building our province’s technology, construction, and automotive sectors.”

Edge Factor’s Career Exploration Journey 

Edge Factor uses the power of cinematic storytelling to take students and job-seekers on a journey from "I have no idea what I want to do with my life" to discovering industries, careers, technical education and postsecondary programs, Soft Skills, STEAM, and local opportunities.  For this partnership, we have crisscrossed Ontario from Thunder Bay to Sudbury and beyond, producing cinematic media and interactive activities that highlight mining opportunities. All of the content created in this partnership is designed to be age-appropriate and inspire job seekers and students in grades 7-12+ to explore and prepare as they move forward in their career journey. 

In partnership with the OMA and Mining Matters, Edge Factor’s film crew went behind the scenes with Impala Canada to film an Industry Tour, and episodes for the Launch Point series, Career Profile videos, Skilled Responders episode, and Geek Out on Tools & Equipment. 

Based on true stories, the Launch Point series showcases everyday people overcoming obstacles to receive the training and inspiration they need to launch rewarding careers. This new episode, Living Like a Rockstar features Cassandra Black, Exploration Geologist who shares how combining her love for the outdoors and her passion for science, led her to launch a career as a Geologist in the mining industry. 

The Career Profile videos we created as part of this initiative will help students and job seekers explore what a "day in the life" looks like in diverse mining careers while highlighting typical responsibilities, tools, and skills used on the job. One of the new episodes in Mining features Claire Lamarre sharing her journey from working in camp housekeeping to becoming a Heavy Duty Equipment Operator and her next career move within the mining industry. 

“I see myself heading into the safety department. That is my future goal. I am going to take every available course and I am going to do this because I want to be in that department,”  -Claire Lamarre,  Heavy Duty Equipment Operator. 

Edge Factor's Skilled Responders series, introduces grade 7-8+ students to industries and features real life people, sharing what inspired them to launch their training and career pathways. In this episode, a Geologist shares her enthusiasm and passion for her career. 

“What inspired me to get into geology - growing up I always loved being outdoors, I loved science and understanding what was going on around me. So now as a Geologist, working in the mining industry, it’s combining all those loves I used to have into one and now I get to do it as a job.” - Cassandra Black, Exploration Geologist. 

In the Geek Out series, high school students and job-seekers prepare to enter the workforce as they watch industry leaders identify specific tools and equipment and describe how they are used on the job. A Geologist demonstrates how the Portable Handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is used to identify the elements in the rock, collect data, and then geologists are able to extract and make sense of the data. 

Get Started: Access & Share This is Mine Life

So how can you access all of these awesome stories and tools? In the month of January, you can head to Edge Factor to create your free account and access and share this content for free! Edge Factor’s Learn & Earn programming is accessible to everyone, where learners of all ages can Learn & Earn their way to achieving a badge and be entered to win prizes! This Is Mine Life Program includes a cinematic story of a Geologist, Career Profiles, and a Geek Out on the use of an XRF tool paired with interactive activities. 

Learn more about opportunities in mining by visiting: talentegg.ca/employer/this-is-mine-life 

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