The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) announced today that AREVA Resources Canada Inc. has provided the largest corporate sponsorship to date for its new Mining Engineering Technology program.
The SIAST Mining Engineering Technology program was designed with input from industry experts and will provide hands-on training in safe, productive mine design and operation. SIAST will begin offering classes for the program in August 2012 at SIAST Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon.
One of Canada’s leading uranium producers, AREVA will provide $100,000 to support SIAST in its mission to educate new workers for Saskatchewan’s mining industry. A focal point for this partnership will be the AREVA Resources Canada Computer Laboratory located in a newly renovated facility that will house the Mining Engineering Technology program at SIAST Kelsey Campus.
Mining is important to AREVA, the largest energy company comprising the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from mining uranium through conversion, enrichment and nuclear fuel fabrication, to recycling that fuel following energy generation. Mining is also one of the driving forces behindSaskatchewan’s tremendous economic growth. However, mining companies in the province must increase the number of skilled workers they attract to meet hiring needs.
“AREVA sees a strong future ahead for uranium mining projects inSaskatchewan, but we need well-educated and qualified employees to help us achieve our objectives. Partnering with SIAST in support of its Mining Engineering Technology program is a great way to increase the pool of people with the necessary skills to join the AREVA team,” said Vincent Martin, CEO of AREVA Resources Canada Inc.
“AREVA is continually one of the first corporate sponsors to come aboard and support SIAST and our programs,” says Jamie Hilts, SIAST’s dean of Technology. “The support of loyal donors like AREVA is instrumental in SIAST’s ability to offer industry-driven programming that enables faculty to educate students using equipment they will find in the workplace. This kind of relevant, hands-on training allows graduates to effectively meet the various challenges within the mining sector.”
Visit http://gosiast.com/programs_courses_descriptions/MIETDIP.shtml for more information on SIAST’s Mining Engineering Technology program.
SIAST is Saskatchewan’s primary public institution for post-secondary technical education and skills training, recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise and innovation. Through program and course registrations, SIAST serves 26,000 distinct students with programs that touch every sector of the economy. SIAST operates campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and provides a number of courses and programs through distance education. Information about SIAST can be found at www.goSIAST.com.