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The program operates with Frontier College, a national literacy and essential skills organization founded in 1899. More than 120 people access the program for various subjects and have participated in over 900 hours of tutoring during the year.

The training covers a variety of topics and is conducted in confidential one-to-one sessions and workshops. Frontier College staff offer tutoring on a wide range of topics including computer skills; preparing resumes and cover letters; typing skills; financial literacy; reading, writing and mathematics; and interview skills.

Curtis Hookimaw-Illene is an example of one of the many successes of the program, which began in August 2014. He is an apron operator at the Victor Mine and has worked at De Beers since November 2013.

He is studying for the General Education Development (GED) test in September 2015, while also working towards improving his maths and communication skills.

“It is easier to prepare for the GED test at work with access to a tutor than it is to try and prepare at home by myself,” he said. “The majority of places you apply to work, you need a minimum of a grade 12 diploma to work. Getting this would make it easier to get a job once the Victor Mine closes.”

Students can access Frontier College’s services for an hour during the working day at their supervisor’s discretion, provided they spend an hour of their own time as well on the training program. Or they can attend when off duty, which is what most students do.

Pam Tracz, Training Superintendent at Victor Mine, said: “We are very pleased with the way the first year of the training program has gone. It is clearly highly beneficial to many of our employees and is excellent in providing continuous learning opportunities and development for all employees.”

Photo above: Tutor Kaileigh Russell (right) and student Jamie Selman of Attawapiskat First Nation get down to work.