About 5,000 students, primarily in Northern Ontario, have been introduced to future careers that will power the province’s electric future.
The Critical Minerals Pilot Program was announced in May and involves eight projects, including one through Canadore College.
Workshops, day camps, and other events were held in partnership with mining and EV battery technology industry leaders, school boards, and others in Ontario’s critical minerals sector.
More than 100 secondary school students from Nipissing, Parry Sound, and West Nipissing took part in Canadore‘s program.
“Ontario is the only jurisdiction in the western hemisphere with all of the critical minerals required to build electric vehicle batteries,” says Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “As we look towards the future and continue to position Ontario as a top tier destination for investment, the Regional Future Workforce Critical Minerals Pilot Program will serve as a foundation for advancing workforce opportunities across the automotive, mobility, and clean technology sectors.”
Officials say over 3,000 new workers will be needed in Ontario’s critical minerals sector by the year 2040.
The Ontario government provided $1.7 million for the program, which was delivered through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.
