The federal government has contributed more than $180,000 to provide training for the northern B.C. mining sector.

The College of New Caledonia will purchase heavy-haul truck and front-end loader simulators to provide virtual training for a total of 50 students each year, as part of the Mining Industry Certificate Program.

The program will be available to students to train for employment as heavy equipment operators in surface mining operations located in northern British Columbia. The fifteen-week training program will be delivered in Burns Lake, Fort St. James and Mackenzie campuses this year.

“Our government understands that a productive mining industry requires skilled workers to remain competitive,” said Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Dick Harris.

Mining is an important economic driver in northern B.C.

Coal mining has been expanding in northeast B.C., and the Endako molybdenum mine west of Prince George is in the midst of a $500-million upgrade and expansion.

The $900-million Mount Milligan gold and copper mine northwest of Prince George is set to begin construction in earnest this year.

The College of Caledonia welcomed the federal money.

"Through this funding, the [college] is able to bring advanced technical training to remote communities and to the large number of aboriginal learners in northern British Columbia," said Lynn Jacques, vice-president academic at CNC.