There are many desirable work opportunities for youth in the mining industry and a high demand for workers. Yet, the overall presence of young people in the sector is low compared to their overall presence in the Canadian labour force.
The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) celebrated 25 years of leading collaboration across Canada’s mining sector in 2021. In recognition of MiHR’s 25th anniversary and in support of developing the mining talent pipeline, MiHR established the I Chose Mining. Mining Chose Me. scholarship program – a five-year program offering 10 x $2,500 scholarships for post-secondary students in mining-related programs. Spread over five fiscal years, the program totals $25,000 in scholarships.
In conjunction with the ‘We Need Mining. Mining Needs You.’ career awareness campaign, the intention of MiHR’s scholarship program is to:
- Provide an opportunity for post-secondary students interested in mining-related careers to receive funding for their education.
- Showcase the important contributions youth can make to the minerals and metals sector.
How to Apply
- Eligibility
- Application
- Judging
- Terms
The scholarship opportunity is available to any student in a mining-related post secondary program that meets the following criteria:
- Be registered in a full-time or part-time mining, mineral, metallurgy or geoscience program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person with refugee protection given under the law.
- Demonstrate an interest in entering a career in Canada’s minerals and metals sector.
- Successfully submit a completed Application Form, accompanied by the noted video and other submission requirements, as outlined in the Application Process section, by no later than September 30th of each year.
To demonstrate that applicants meet the above eligibility criteria, they must submit:
- The MiHR Scholarship Application Form.
- Information submitted on the form is also intended to explain interest in a mining career and the value of current educational programs in meeting future goals.
- An MP4 video of a maximum of two minutes focused on the scholarship theme: I Chose Mining. Mining Chose Me.
- Creatively explain why you chose a mining education (what about the industry appealed to you) and why mining chose you (what makes you a good fit for a mining career).
- Articulate your academic and career goals, and how the scholarship fits into your plan to achieve these goals.
- Note: By submitting, applicants agree to have their video featured on www.MiningNeedsYou.ca and MiHR’s social media platforms. Videos may be edited for length.
- A detailed resume.
- A minimum of one letter of recommendation, to a maximum of three. Preference will be given to letters from educational faculty.
- Proof of registration in a full-time or part-time mining, mineral, metallurgy or geoscience program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Applications are scored out of 100 points in accordance with the following four evaluation categories:
- Application form – 20 points
- Video – 50 points
- Detailed resume – 20 points
- Letter(s) of recommendation – 10 points
Application packages are to be submitted to scholarship@mihr.ca. Packages can be sent using a file transfer service such as WeTransfer or DropBox. Applicants will receive email confirmation that their application has been received.
For questions regarding MiHR’s I Chose Mining. Mining Chose Me. scholarship program, please contact info@mihr.ca.
MiHR is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion are prioritized in Canada’s mining sector. Therefore, a minimum of one of the two scholarships awarded each year will be provided to youth from groups underrepresented in mining, including women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, newcomers, persons with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA communities.
Each year, the MiHR Scholarship Selection Committee will select two successful recipients. The Committee is comprised of three members of MiHR’s Board of Directors, the Council’s Executive Director and its Director of Marketing and Communications.
MiHR staff members will do a preliminary assessment of the completed applications package and select the top 10-12 shortlisted applications that will be forwarded to the Committee. The Committee will assess all short-listed submissions under the terms of the Board approved evaluation criteria. Applicants will be considered based on their submission demonstrating their commitment to a career in Canada’s mining industry.
The successful candidates will be advised of their award by approximately October 15th of each year. Scholarship funds will be made available to the successful applicant between November 15th to January 15th of that same academic year.
All applicants will receive email notification whether their application is successful or not.
Although not mandatory, successful candidates may be invited to attend a virtual or in person MiHR event to be provided with their award.
For questions regarding MiHR’s I Chose Mining. Mining Chose Me. scholarship program, please contact info@mihr.ca.