Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc Trades Sampler Tour
In April, twelve students joined New Afton for the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) Trades Sampler Tour. Although not all participants were TteS members, they all shared a common curiosity about the trades and a desire to see career opportunities firsthand.
“It was great to see New Afton employees come together to make the tour happen and create an exciting experience for the youth,” said Devan Swaine, First Nations Coordinator. “Demonstrating our commitment to Indigenous education is always a positive experience for me.”
To give students a taste of life underground, they toured the B3 production zone and a pump station, where they even spotted “the feather in the box,” which commemorates a site blessing done by Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwepemc Nation (SSN) knowledge keepers. From there, they headed down to the gyratory crusher station and then to then back on surface to the mill, maintenance, and warehouse areas. This immersive experience clarified what each trade entails and highlighted the many career pathways available within their communities—including here at New Afton.
“It was a pleasure to spend time with the group,” Lisa Newman, Safety Advisor, reflected. “They shared their excitement of seeing the many workings involved in mining and their desire to one day work here at New Afton. I enjoyed hearing their perspective on the new surroundings, it reminded me of when I first entered the industry. Lots of good energy and futures ahead for this group.”
Connecting with employees on-site also opens doors to future apprenticeships and employment. A number of Indigenous employees shared their career journeys, illustrating how New Gold’s partnerships, such as scholarships and bursaries for SSN students, are designed to support local talent.
“The students were particularly interested in the various positions and machinery used to keep the mine progressing,” said, Bren Joseph of Thompson River University’s (TRU) Trades Sampler program. “It was amazing to experience the different areas and learn everything about making a mine run safely and productively. The tour guides were great—very informative, and they kept everything light and interesting.”
By providing local youth with opportunities to explore and connect, New Gold is investing in the next generation of tradespeople, strengthening both our operation and community.
