Northern College updates curriculum for the Haileybury School of Mines

Northern College says it is changing the way it teaches students at Haileybury School of Mines, with a new focus on practical instruction for jobs in the mining industry. (File)

Northern College says it is changing the way it teaches students at Haileybury School of Mines, with a new focus on practical instruction for jobs in the mining industry.

The new programs will launch in September, the school said in a news release June 9.

“Essentially, what we’ve done is shift this program and its priorities from ‘learning about mining’ to ‘practising how mining is done,” Dean Lessard, vice-president academic at Northern, said in the release.

“We’ve worked to develop a program (that) prepares graduates for career longevity, not just securing an entry-level position, (and) to provide them with the skills they need to position themselves as future leaders.”

The new curriculum was developed in consultation with the mining industry, Northern said.

“By integrating technical knowledge, safety leadership, environmental responsibility, and applied decision‑making, the new program aligns education with how modern mining operates, preparing the next generation of learners to be adaptable, job‑ready, and equipped for long‑term success,” the release said.

Founded in 1912

Founded in 1912, the Haileybury School of Mines has “a reputation for producing highly skilled, professionally competent mining experts who have gone on to shape the mining industry both at home and around the globe.”

It became a part of Northern College in the 1960s.

“We have always prioritized practical, skills-focused training which prepares our students for graduation and ensures they not only succeed in their careers, but play a role in shaping the industries they join,” Mitch Dumas, president and CEO of Northern, said in the release.

“Sometimes the path forward lies in reflecting on the past,” Jamie Johnston, dean of trades and technology at Northern, is quoted as saying.

“Our goal with the revitalized Mining Engineering Technician program is to promote cross-disciplinary thinking, to shift the approach from passive knowledge acquisition to a focus on active capability and emphasizes experiential learning.”

Building on more than a century of experience, the redesigned program incorporates a new emphasis on decision-making under real conditions in areas including geology, ground control, ventilation, safety, systems-based planning and technology-enabled operations.

More information can be found on the school’s website.