Photo: Arviat’s future diamond drillers start 10-week course

The 12 students in Arviat diamond driller’s training program started the classroom portion of their training this week. Hands-on training during the 10-week course will also see the trainees help operate a functioning diamond drill. “Industry support has been key in getting this program going.” said Arviat’s mayor Bob Leonard in a Sept. 28 news release. Agnico-Eagle Mines, Forage Orbit Garant and Boart Longyear are providing support to the program and will hire graduates on a priority basis. Ludovic Onerk of Arviat, an experienced diamond driller, will ensure that course content is explained in Inuktitut, the news release said. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HAMLET OF ARVIAT)