This text is part of the special section Professions and careers
The mining sector is booming in Quebec, notably with the development of the battery sector; 14,358 jobs will need to be filled by 2028 in this industry, according to estimates from the National Institute of Mines of Quebec (INMQ) and the Sectoral Labor Committee of the Mining Industry (CSMO Mines).
With particular emphasis on the key mining regions of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec, these labor issues certainly represent a worrying situation, but which is not worrying. , reassures Christine Duchesneau, president and CEO of the INMQ. She is hopeful of achieving this, although aware that this is a significant, but realistic, challenge for the industry to overcome.
Same story from Suzie Therriault, general director of CSMO Mines, responsible for the dissemination of information on the mining industry labor market. “We have a fairly notable turnover rate in our mines with demographics moving towards retirement, so it’s not just pure new jobs that are fortunately being created,” she argues.
The current context in the province — while the government shows a desire to propel a green economy while banking on its natural resources — forces a significant anticipation of the demand for so-called critical and strategic minerals. These are considered essential by Quebec to develop the energies of tomorrow and contribute to the decarbonization of the territory.
With its battery sector and its very rich subsoil, the province wishes to position itself as a leader in the supply, processing and recycling of minerals of the future. Furthermore, by 2034, 50% of mining companies will have hybrid electric vehicles in their vehicle fleet, rejoice the two managers.
Demystify the sector to attract young people
The INMQ, which ensures that mining training in Quebec corresponds to the cutting-edge and current needs of the industry, in concert with several players in the sector, including CSMO Mines, is increasing recruitment strategies among young people, particularly with promotion and awareness activities from secondary school onwards.
Suzie Therriault illustrates this desire to make the field attractive with, among other things, the Mines and Life scientific workshops. Aimed at young people from 2e at 5e from secondary school, they allow them to understand the realities of the mining cycle by donning the clothes of a prospector. The students thus embark on a treasure hunt in search of a particular deposit. Furthermore, the establishment of several short-term paid training courses (COUD), alternating between work and study, and in the most sought-after professions, helps a lot in recruiting, she believes.
“There are still far too many prejudices to be eliminated among the public, particularly that according to which these are dangerous jobs,” continues Ms.me Therriault. There are now so many rules to follow regarding health and safety at work. And then, the cellular network is present everywhere, in all the mines, and even underground. Finally, the use of augmented reality in reception and integration programs also makes this industry safer,” she insists to counter beliefs.
Both organizations also reach out to parents to open their eyes to all the possible job prospects in the sector. “We need all kinds of versatile people with various skills like cybersecurity engineers for example, or in IT, in engineering, not necessarily miners in the field,” says Christine Duchesneau, adding that the sector is constantly evolving. technological and ecological.
Indeed, with the automation and robotization of equipment increasingly present, creating what it calls “smart mines” managed by remote control rooms, it is expected that by 2033, more positions will require postsecondary training compared to the last similar study carried out in 2018. Over the next decade, 19% of vacant positions will require a college education and 14% a university degree.
Of course, jobs requiring a professional studies diploma will still represent 56% of jobs to be filled. Diamond drillers, mechanics, heavy equipment operators, ore processing machine operators, all these workers responsible for operating the mine and who carry out their tasks on the surface or underground, are not going to disappear. But in 2018, 64% of positions required secondary school education.
In the meantime, estimates of labor needs in the mining sector in Quebec 2019-2023 suggest that more than 7,000 positions are currently to be filled.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.