Nevada mining training boosted by $800K state funding

Sudbury’s Norcat is leading a mining training program in Nevada, supported by over $800,000 in state funding. Great Basin College in Nevada has received $832,230 from the state's Workforce Innovations for a new Nevada program to implement Norcat’s training.

Executive director of northeastern Nevada's regional development authority Sheldon Mudd has been instrumental in bringing Norcat’s training to Nevada. After visiting Norcat's facilities in northern Ontario in 2017, Mudd recognized their potential for the local mining industry and began building connections to introduce the training model to key stakeholders.

“It is great to finally see a partnership develop between Norcat and Great Basin College, the premier training institution for Nevada’s mining industry,” said Mudd in a news release.

The partnership was announced in June. Norcat will offer training programs and advisory services using a mix of hands-on instruction, virtual reality, augmented reality, and industry-leading education. Part of the funding will go towards equipment and technology.

The program aims to create approximately 1,150 jobs with partners like Lithium Americas, Sawtooth Mining and Nevada Gold Mines. Norcat is renowned for its mining-industry safety training and won an award last year for its Certi-Fire VR program, which certifies electricians to handle fire alarm systems.

For more details, visit www.Norcat.org.