The Ontario-based company will train students in the programme to work in both surface and underground environments over a five-week period.

As pointed out by Norcat CEO Don Duval, there are increasing levels of exploration work going on, and this is expected to continue over the long term both in Ontario itself and Canada as a whole. The growth has left diamond drilling companies struggling to source trained driller assistance to meet that demand.

"In launching this training programme, NORCAT continues to engage, educate and strengthen the future mining workforce in order to meet the human capital needs of the global mining industry," he said. "The theory and practical experience the trainees will receive in this programme provides the participants with excellent opportunities in securing full-time employment in the mining and exploration fields."

Norcat's new internally developed programme, which offers fundamental knowledge and skills, complies with the outlines of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, combining both theory and practical, hands-on experiential training in an operating mine environment.

Topics covered in the class include health and safety, environmental protection, use of equipment and recovery and handling of core samples, as well as a hands-on introduction to new diamond drilling equipment and technology.

Norcat's first intake of students will begin their studies August 13.