An intriguing blend of students graduated from the Northern College Hard Rock Mining Program on Friday.
From Don Degagner, a father of two, whose daughter ran off with his diploma shortly after it was award to her dad, to young men eager to crack into the field of mining and Karen Blouin, a single mother, former taxi-driver, cook, retail clerk, security guard and Tim Horton’s Baker.
“Graduation is the final step for what has been for some a very long journey,” said Christine Heavens, Executive Director, Community, Business Development and Employment Services at Northern College. “Often our students share their stories with us and we hear of the challenges they face and each has their own unique stories
“Today marks the completion of something you started,” noted Christine Heavens. “No one gave this day to you – you earned it.”
“But today is also something else – it is a beginning,” continued Heavens. “You have set a new bar for yourselves…for some that will be the beginning of a new job search and the start of what will be a long standing career in mining.”
The other three graduates are Andrew Cook, Matthew Harper and Derek MacKenzie.
The 12-week course included a six-week, 240-hour onsite placement at Glencore Kidd Creek’s mine, one the deepest mines in Timmins worth it in the end. This year, 2016, Kidd Creek is celebrating its 50th anniversary of operations.
“I am very proud to be graduating from this program,” Blouin said. “It means a chance for a better future for my son Joseph and I.”
“The worst is over and new doors are opening and the struggle is coming to an end,” she said.
The key to success in the mining field, Blouin said, is to focus on working safely with her co-workers.
“At first I will be trying to secure any positions I can,” Blouin said. “And later I want to work my way into productions for drilling and blasting.”
For her long term goal, Blouin said, she wants to work on the large surface blasting jobs.
“That’s something that has always interested me since I flagged for my dad and uncles at age 16,” she said.
Though heavy equipment and mining is in Blouin’s background, (her father is the current project manager in a phosphorus mine near Hearst, Ontario), she said it was a conversation with a passenger while she was driving cab that convinced her to enrol in the hardrock mining program at Northern College.
“He asked me how I liked driving taxi and what my life story was,” recalled Blouin. “I told him quickly in a nut shell and that I was tired of struggling and needed a break.
“Mentioned mining and from there it brewed into applying for the program,” she added. “Luckily I was accepted through Ontario’s Second Career program who helped with tuition costs and living allowance during the 12-week course.
Blouin really enjoyed the hardrock mining course.
“It was fun and educational,” she said. “I had no mining experience and it has given me confidence and knowledge to push forward and continue to work safely in the mining field."
Karen is a 31-year old, single mother of a four-year old boy. She was born in Cochrane, Ontario and grew up around heavy machinery.
Working hard has been a major part of Karen Blouin’s life. She recalls as young girl helping on her poppy’s farm with the animals and gardens and also helping her grandparents at their cottage piling wood and carrying five-gallon pails to and from the wells for water.
For relaxation, Karen enjoys fishing, hunting, sledding and anything to do with the great outdoors, in any season. She also enjoys welding, playing ice and ball hockey.
Above all she wants to be a great mother for her son Joseph and providing the best she can.
Blouin also hopes her achievements will inspire more women to enter the mining field.
For Northern College each graduate is an ambassador of the school’s hardrock mining program which it offers with Glencore Kidd Creek Operations and also Primero Gold Mines. This particular session was partnered with Glencore Kidd Creek Operations.
“I want to thank our unbelievable partner Glencore Kidd Creek Operations,” said Christine Heavens, Northern College Business Development and Employment Services. “It is a unique participation and because of it we have set a bar for hardrock mining training which will help these students build a career in the hardrock mining sector.”
