Launch Investigation Report on the teaching simulator: Plan Nord in Quebec offer the opportunity to revive the mining training using new technologies

Press Release

AL D’OR, QC , on Nov 5, 2014. – The National Institute of Mining Quebec (INMQ) today launched an inquiry into the teaching by mining simulator Report. This survey on teaching simulator discusses their usefulness to train mining operators, a key position in any mining open pit or underground.

The INMQ, through its role, directs his research towards new forms of distance education learning-type virtual (e-learning) offered by educational institutions in Quebec, Canada and around the world. “This is an opportunity for Québec educational institutions wishing to innovate in the way of providing vocational and technical education, and, in attempting to respond accurately to the needs of the mining industry constantly changing, “said the CEO of the National Institute of Mines Quebec, Mr. Robert Marquis .

This report documents the investigation of the international mining market simulator owned by a handful of designers. It also identifies a number of mining companies active in Quebec and Canada that involve technologies latest simulation directly on their mining sites for training of workers and to train new employees. This is particularly the case of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.. offering in the workplace continuing training simulator. “The cost and risk of injury time worker training are factors that justified the implementation of a simulator directly in our company. Our employees can develop and improve their skills, which for the company translates into increased productivity, “said Danièle Colpron, counselor training and development to mine iron Bloom Lake.

A gap in the Quebec education network

Unlike many Canadian provincial and territorial jurisdictions, vocational training centers in Québec’s public network does not currently have the latest technology for the formation of mining operators. The integration of existing simulation programs offer great benefits, especially to ensure the optimization of existing programs and to meet an urgent demand of the industry on the implementation of a new specific program to open pit mining. “In the context of the Plan Nord, learning trades of mining, using more technology mining simulation and adapting the public education context Quebecois also promote the attractiveness of youth and mastery of skills essential to the economic development of Quebec, “added the CEO of INMQ, Mr. Robert Marquis .

Recommendation INMQ: a pilot project

The National Institute of Mining proposes a pilot project on the implementation of mining simulators in vocational training centers in Quebec. These would be selected from those who have either specific training in underground mining equipment operators, a formation akin to that sought by the industry operators typical gear for open pit mines. The pilot project would assess the technical performance of simulators to measure the impact of their use and to develop new skills among teachers. It would also documenting best teaching practices and to test the impact of this method of learning about the first cohorts of students trained.

In the coming weeks, the National Institute of Quebec mines will follow this investigation report. He will file a notice to the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports (MELS) and Higher Education, Research and Science (MHESR), Mr. Yves Bolduc . This review propose ways to update the training offered by the mining workforce by leveraging new technological breakthroughs in simulation training.

The investigation report on the teaching simulator is available on the website of the INMQ.

The support of the Government in the exercise of its responsibility for education in mining Institut national des mines du Québec’s mission. It has a mandate to maximize training capacity of the workforce, optimizing available resources and using them as a shared vision of all stakeholders in the mining sector.

Source:

Karine Lacroix
Communications Advisor
National Institute of Mines Quebec
819 825-4667 ext 2904
Cell. : 819 860-7410 www.inmq.gouv.qc.ca

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