Northern College Revitalizes the Haileybury School of Mines

 

 

TIMMINS, ON:  Northern College is proud to announce the revitalization of the Haileybury School of Mines.

Founded in 1912, the Haileybury School of Mines (HSM) is a world-renowned mining school, with a reputation for producing highly skilled, professionally competent mining experts who have gone on to shape the mining industry both at home and around the globe.

“HSM was a pioneer in defining experiential, vocational learning in Ontario,” stated Mitch Dumas, President & CEO at Northern. “HSM and its approach to education helped shape modern, educational training in Ontario and has served as a foundation for every other program we’ve developed at Northern.”

“Inspired by HSM, we have always prioritized practical, skills focused training which prepares our students for graduation, and ensures they not only succeed in their careers, but play a role in shaping the industries they join,” added Dumas.

Folded into Northern College in the 1960s, HSM looked to industry throughout its history to shape curriculum and ensure that all educational offerings reflected the latest in technology and techniques, lending to its considerable reputation as a world class mining school.

“Sometimes the path forward lies in reflecting on the past,” stated Jamie Johnston, Dean of Trades and Technology at Northern. “In revitalizing HSM, we have looked to our industry partners, to mining professionals to shape this new curriculum, from educational priorities to class curriculum, all specifically designed to provide our students with exactly what they need to excel in the mining industry.”

Doing so meant a change in approach, allowing industry to play a significant role in leading and shaping program priorities, while the Institution focused on defining those needs within existing academic structures.

“We call this industry defined learning,” stated Johnston. “Our goal with the revitalized Mining Engineering Technician program is to promote cross-disciplinary thinking, to shift the approach from passive knowledge acquisition to a focus on active capability and emphasizes experiential learning.”

Building on over a century of experience, this re-designed program incorporates new emphasis on decision-making under real conditions: from geology, ground control and ventilation, to safety, systems-based planning and technology enabled operations.

“Essentially, what we’ve done is shift this program and its priorities from ‘learning about mining’ to ‘practicing how mining is done,’ stated Dean Lessard, Vice President Academic at Northern. “We’ve worked to develop a program which prepares graduates for career longevity, not just securing an entry level position, to provide them with the skills they need to position themselves as future leaders.”

By integrating technical knowledge, safety leadership, environmental responsibility, and applied decision‑making, the new program aligns education with how modern mining operates, preparing the next generation of learners to be adaptable, job‑ready, and equipped for long‑term success.

Northern College and the Haileybury School of Mines extend their sincere thanks to all the industry partners, alumni members and mining professionals who have played a critical role in the revitalization of the Mining Engineering Technician program and the Haileybury School of Mines.

The Mining Engineering Technician program launches in September of 2026.