Mining industry still dealing with labour shortage, Sudbury forum hears

Government and industry officials marking Mining Week this week in Sudbury says the growing industry is still challenged by a skilled labour shortage.

Representatives from across the mining sector are marking Mining Week in Sudbury, highlighting the role the industry has played in the past but also looking ahead at how to keep the industry sustainable.

One big concern is the future workforce.

Gustavo Jurado, a senior economist from the Mining Industry Resource Council, spoke about the programs, resources and tools available to attract talent to mining.

Jurado said the industry is booming, but there’s a need for workers.

“The labour supply is not as strong as it could be. We have been facing a lot of labour shortages, particularly with skilled trades, mechanics, electricians and so on,” he said.

Jurado said mining employment reached its highest level ever in September. He stressed that the need will only increase due to the demand for critical minerals, as well as increased government support.

But those in the industry are looking for solutions to the labour shortage.

“Workforce is a challenge for all of our members across the province in the Mining Service and Supply Association,” said Heather Johnston, operations manager at Mine Connect.

“We’re really hoping that giving them education opportunities like this, where they can learn what programs are available to them.”

“There’s a disconnect between mining employment demand and supply,” Jurado said.

“Mining the demand can be very volatile -- one year we could double the number of people we need.”

“But mining supply is not very flexible. So, we need to have supports in place so that we have a robust and steady supply of labour going into the future,” he added.

Michelle Murray, director of operations at Halton Industry Education Council, was one of four panelists.

The not-for-profit is working with the Ontario Ministry of Education to provide career coaching to high school students through the Ontario Career Lab.

“We are bringing people in from all different industries, very much entrenched in labour market insights, to the classroom to meet with all Grade 9 and 10 students across the province,” Murray told the crowd.

She said students might not realize the breadth of careers available through mining.

Talk to young people

“We need industry at the table. We need industry to come out and talk to young people about the world of work,” Murray said.

“We want young people to feel like they have some real intention and inspiration at the point when they graduate and think about their next steps.”

Other panelists included Antonio Lopez from IVEY Group, Pierre Seguin from the Ontario Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth, and Sue Sadler with ACCESS Employment.

One of the other events on the Mining Week agenda is the Mine Opportunity Challenge for high school students from Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin.

Johnston told the crowd that the person who created the game wanted to teach her students that there’s “more to mining than finding the rocks -- although a very important part,” she said.

“There’s lots of careers, from trades to engineering to chefs, lawyers, HR, health and safety and everything in between.”

Teams of students will compete in the mining-related game that’s a cross between Monopoly and Amazing Race, with cash prizes for the top three teams.

The competition starts Wednesday at the Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University.