Mining companies in Winnemucca have opportunities for Lowry students that go beyond the mine scholarships. Representatives from Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining presented teachers at the high school with what's available at the late-start Thursday presentation. Late start Thursdays allow teachers time for professional development for half an hour every Thursday morning.
The Mining Industry Foundation scholarship provides job training for students who may not necessarily be college-bound but have a technical aptitude. Students receive a monetary scholarship and work part-time and during the summers for on-the-job training in diesel, electrical systems, instrumentation and other technical skills.
Rhonda Zuraff of Newmont said the goal of the mines in working with schools was not to recruit for the mines. Instead, said Zuroff, the goal was to create productive citizens regardless of whether they choose to be employed at one of the mines.
"It's about learning to be responsible," said Zuraff.
Melanie Lawson said many Barrick employees were eager to volunteer in classrooms and help students with essential career training such as working on interviewing skills.
"It's not all about joining the mining industry," said Lawson.
The two mining companies will provide speakers for classroom presentations and will tailor the presentations to match the class. Geologists and lab technicians could speak to science students and accounting professionals could speak with business students.
"The idea is to show students that your teachers are not crazy. You will use this stuff in a practical way," said Lawson.
Last year, a career preparation program, entitled Explore your Future, debuted at Battle Mountain High School, and has different programs for each grade level.
Freshman classes attend a career fair where they are exposed to the different jobs in the mining industry such as human resources and accounting, in addition to engineering and geology. Sophomores view presentations from mining professionals in all fields, while juniors have a chance to tour the mine sites and seniors do some job shadowing.
She said one student toured a mine site as part of a job-shadowing program and after meeting the accounting department personnel, she became excited that she could make a career out of math.
The students don't just get out of class for a day when they tour the mines. They must write an essay or do a presentation.
Zuraff said while not every student will go to a four-year college, they will need basic life skills that these mining programs can provide.
A teacher raised the issue of students who say, "I don't need a high school diploma because I can just go work in a mine." Zuraff responded by saying that mines would be reluctant to hire someone without a diploma because it shows a lack of responsibility.
"If they can't graduate high school, then how do I know they are willing to get on a bus every day at four in the morning and go to work," said Zuraff.
In addition to the student programs, teachers have an opportunity to attend Nevada Mining Association workshops in Las Vegas and Reno where they receive university credit for professional development and receive materials and guidance for classroom presentations on the mining industry.
"We'd rather do two or three things really well, than 25 things half-way," said Zuraff of the list of programs available. She said she hoped to make a more meaningful partnership with the school that could really benefit the students.
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