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Story provided by Allisson Badger, Career Education Coordinator

As part of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan Career Development priority, the Kamloops-Thompson School District is committed to helping prepare students attain their career goals. The Career Development team offers a variety of exploration opportunities for students to explore a range of possible career pathways, including several events that provide hands-on experience for female students to explore careers they may not have previously considered.

On June 20, 2024, the District's Career Development Department hosted a Trades and Transition Discover Day focused on Women in Mining. New Afton Mine welcomed 17 Grade 10–12 students as part of the Future Women in Mining event which introduces students to different career paths in the mining industry.

Lisa Newman, a Red Seal electrician, industrial technician, and safety officer at New Afton Mine, offered welcoming encouragement for students looking to explore mining: “I know in my heart that everyone has a place. There are so many professions at New Gold, I wanted to show female students that there is a pathway for everyone.”

This career experience explored above ground mine areas and offered new perspectives on careers in mining. Taylor Drake, a 糖心Swag student in the dual-credit electrical program with TRU, expressed: “Being able to see behind the scenes at New Gold and see what careers really do, gave me a perspective of the many opportunities we have. I still want to be an electrician but now I know there are many opportunities.”

Students also saw and learned about Mill operations, where copper and gold are extracted from mined rocks. “Students were curious and engaged, it's worth encouraging them to explore milling at the mine,” shared Mill Operator Sandra Campbel. Seeing the mill helped students see how a cluster of careers from geo-technicians, environmental scientists, heavy-equipment operators, and even a bat biologist connect together to mine gold and copper.

Hand-on experience with an AI stimulator offered students the opportunity to operate heavy-duty equipment in an underground test zone by activating lights and turning the matching on and off from 650 meters above ground. Automation Trainer Michelle Kennedey described her interests in AI as coming from “being really great at Mario Cart,” and student Gretchen Paquette shared that the experience was “way better than the farming simulator game.”

“Exploring a mine was an opportunity I wish I had,” shared Environmental Scientist Tyne Roberts. “I had no idea this mine was a local career opportunity, which is why I volunteered with the students today."

The Women in Mining event was an engaging, explorative, and inspiring day for students. By introducing them to a range of career pathways, students were able to think about their future career goals with new inspiration. As student Kaitlyn Girourd stated, “There were a lot of great careers to see...I never knew there could be a bat cave at a mine.”

Thank you to New Afton and the many female career professionals in mining that took the time to connect with students and to show them not only what their jobs were but how much and why they enjoyed their careers.