10 northern women will embark on a new journey starting Friday.
The women will be students in a new pilot program spear-headed by Cameco aiming to bring more skilled workers into the mining industry.
The program, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, is a 6-month program aiming to provide pre-trade training in several areas.
Cameco says the program will expose the students to several different areas of works within the mining operations with hopes that some of the students can branch off into areas they are interested in.
With uranium production expected to ramp up over the next few years, demand for skilled workers is growing and Cameco hopes this new training program will help fill the gap.
There is also a shortage of women working in the mining sector with hopes that a program like this will aim to curb that trend as well.
The all-women program is set to begin at Cameco’s Rabbit Lake operation on Friday with the students attending the program two weeks on and two weeks from from January to June.
The students will also be paid for the program and will have their lodging and transportation covered.
According to Cameco, there will also be an Elder brought on to the team to support the program.
MBC News spoke with Kristin Cuddington, Cameco’s Community and Indigenous Engagement Director, about the new program.