Unearthing Talent – Preparing the Next Mining Workforce
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 4 | Unearthing Talent – Preparing the Next Mining Workforce
Location: Centennial Room
Asper School of Business: Mining Minds: Shaping Tomorrow’s Talent
Session Overview:
As the mining industry navigates talent shortages and moves toward a more digital, sustainable, and ESG-focused future, attracting Gen Z is essential. This session will uncover what today’s students value most: purpose, flexibility, transparency, inclusion, and real impact, and how mining employers can align with these priorities to strengthen recruitment and retention.
Drawing on real student feedback and success stories from Asper School of Business co-op placements, we’ll explore practical ways to connect with Gen Z, from employer branding and storytelling that resonates, to inclusive and transparent recruitment practices.
We’ll discuss how early engagement through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), particularly co-op programs, can serve as a “two-way test drive” for both students and employers, building brand loyalty, assessing fit, and fostering long-term talent pipelines.
You’ll leave with actionable strategies to position mining careers in fields like finance, ESG, operations, and data analytics, ensuring your organization is seen not just as a workplace, but as a place where Gen Z can grow, contribute, and thrive.
UNC Session Overview:
UCN’s mining readiness program begins by prioritizing motivation, employment readiness and supports. After a transformative one-week “AI Future Ready” experience focused on personal growth, participants dive into a powerful, hands-on, four-week Mining Readiness Program. This unique journey is changing how education meets industry needs—blending personal development with technical skills, opening doors to the mining sector for those who might not have had access before, and delivering incredible results for every cohort.
Speakers
Yev Buriakova
Yev Buriakova is the Business and Professional Development Consultant at the Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, where she leads employer engagement and co-op program initiatives for MBA, MFin, and MSCM students. With extensive experience in career development and employment services, she has supported newcomers, recent graduates, and mid-career professionals in navigating the Canadian labour market.
At Asper, Yev builds strategic partnerships with employers to design recruitment approaches that reflect the values of today’s students – purpose, flexibility, transparency, and impact. She is passionate about experiential learning and helps organizations leverage co-op placements as a bridge between student talent and industry needs.
Her work offers first-hand insight into aligning Gen Z’s career expectations with opportunities in sectors such as finance, ESG, operations, and data analytics, including within the mining industry, enabling employers to connect meaningfully with the next generation of professionals.
Kelly Mahoney
Kelly Mahoney is a recognized leader in connecting the next generation of business talent with employers. As Director of the Career Development Centre and Co-op Programs at the I.H. Asper School of Business, she bridges employer needs with student aspirations, helping organizations attract, engage, and retain Gen Z talent.
With over 20 years’ experience in recruitment, career education, and leadership coaching, Kelly partners with hundreds of employers annually to facilitate co-op placements, internships, and full-time hires. She designs career readiness programming that reflects the skills, values, and workplace expectations of today’s students, offering employers actionable insights to strengthen their recruitment strategies.
A Certified Leadership Coach and former HR and executive search consultant, Kelly is a past President of CEWIL Canada, an active member of CPHR Manitoba, CACEE, and MACD, and was recently named one of Winnipeg’s Top 15 Coaches by Influence Digest.
Jamie Grant, Associate VP Community & Industry Solutions, University College of the North
Jamie joined University College of the North in April 2022. She previously held leadership roles in both the Projects and Operations areas of Mining for over 7 years and had the privilege of being part of the project team that was responsible for the construction of the largest Mine Development project in Manitoba’s history. Prior to that she was the Executive Director of the Northern Manitoba Sector Council for 3 years focusing on training and workforce development projects for the Mining, Energy and Forestry Sectors.
Born and raised in the small northern community of Flin Flon, MB, Jamie is personally and professionally passionate about the opportunities for the North and the focus on “growing our own.” “Incorporating innovations, technology and creative models of training will provide the opportunity to Northern people to enter and progress into the workforce at all levels”. Jamie works closely with Industries in multiple sectors to ensure that there is relevant training and education provided to learners that will lead them directly into the jobs.
Lori Simon, Project Coordinator, Mining Readiness Program of UCN Northern Manitoba Mining Academy
With three decades of experience in project coordination, Lori has dedicated her career to advancing skills development and employment opportunities across Northern Manitoba. Lori served in the civil service for 25 years, complemented by 8 years in consulting capacity. Her work has been deeply rooted in collaboration—building strong partnerships with Indigenous and Northern Affairs communities, sector councils, educational institutions, industry employers, and government organizations.
Lori has led the Mining Readiness Program at the UCN Northern Mining Academy in Flin Flon, where she has assisted in the development, and coordinated the delivery, of this employment-focused initiative tailored to the region’s labour market demands in the Mining Industry. In her spare time, Lori enjoys retirement!
Tanya Manych, UCN Associate Vice President of Transformation
Tara Manych’s career spans 25 years of early childhood education, K-12, adult, and post-secondary education, all rooted in her love of learning and belief in human potential. She’s passionate about using AI as a tool to help students and educators reach new heights, seeing it as a way to personalize learning and support every individual’s growth and mental health. For Tara, student success always comes first—her work is driven by a simple goal: helping learners live their best possible lives.
Chair: Ray Solski, Indigenous and Community Relations Specialist and Communications Advisor at Vale’s Thompson
Ray Solski is the Indigenous and Community Relations Specialist and Communications Advisor at Vale’s Thompson, Manitoba operations. With 17 years in the mining industry, Ray has progressed through roles in operations, supervision, learning & development, and safety & health. He now leads strategic engagement and communications initiatives.
Ray’s broad experience across operational and corporate functions gives him a well-rounded perspective on organizational effectiveness and stakeholder engagement. He is recognized for fostering respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and stakeholders, and for delivering inclusive, effective, and sustainable initiatives.
He is the co-chair of the Mining Association of Manitoba’s Indigenous Relations Committee and founder of the Rylen Solski Memorial Fishing Derby, a non-profit raising awareness of Kawasaki disease in partnership with Kawasaki Disease Canada. A proud Thompson resident, Ray enjoys outdoor activities and is actively raising his family in Manitoba’s North.