MiHR is pleased to announce that Kearl Oil Sands, an Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil Canada project, is the first oil sands employer to become a Canadian Mining Certification Program (CMCP) designated site.  Skills recognition across the mining industry plays an important role for employers facing HR challenges, including competition for talent. The CMCP provides all industry players with comprehensive, objective ways to verify the skills, knowledge and experience of workers, target training requirements, and enable workers from other industries to make smooth transitions to jobs in the Canadian mining industry.

Kearl has committed to certifying approximately 200 workers, starting early next year, after 14 workplace assessors are trained in January. Barbra Kirby, MiHR’s Senior Director, Workforce Development, outlines the benefits of the program to all parties involved, explaining that “Until recently all skilled workers have been unrecognized at a national level for the value they bring to the industry – the CMCP changes this”. She adds that “certified workers that have a validated record of skills, knowledge and competencies play a key role in employee retention”. Imperial Oil’s willingness to certify employees demonstrates its commitment to skills recognition and human resource solutions.

For more information about CMCP, or how to become a designated site please visit http://www.miningcertification.ca, contact certification@mihr.ca, or call Barbara Kirby on 613-270-9696 x 26.