TNDC News

GROWING TAHLTAN TALENT THROUGH MENTORING

Gavin Day’s recent promotion to Heavy Equipment Operator Trainer is an exciting step up the career ladder. He began his career with TNDC in February 2020 as a labourer at the Coast Mountain Hydro project. Thanks to TNDC’s on-the-job training, Gavin quickly moved up to operating heavy equipment with TNDC’s Red Chris TIA team. He began on a packer and rock truck, and then moved to a skidsteer, loader and excavator.

Gavin stands beside one of the many pieces of heavy equipment he has operated and now trains Tahltans on.

Gavin loves the dynamic work environment of operating equipment and doing something new every day. He likens his job to getting to play in a giant sandbox. However, he found himself looking for more responsibility. When the opportunity arose earlier this year to take on a mentorship role as part of TNDC’s Tahltan HEO Program, Gavin jumped at the chance. He participated in the Mining in Human Resources Council (MiHR) industry training program.

Being a mentor reignited the trainer inside him. Prior to TNDC, Gavin was a mill operator at the Silvertip Mine, and before that a Ramp Lead and Air Canada trainer for de-icing. So when he saw a TNDC posting for a HEO Trainer at our Red Chris project site, Gavin leapt at the opportunity to apply. The experience he has accumulated leading up to and during his time with TNDC, coupled with his passion for mentoring, landed him the job.

Gavin stands in beside an excavator, one of the many pieces of heavy equipment he has operated and now trains Tahltans on.

A HEO Trainer comes with an important responsibility to train people in the safe and effective operation of a variety of equipment. To set Gavin up for success, he trained under Gary Coates, TNDC’s trainer at Red Chris and Tahltan HEO Program teacher. Gary is a HEO by trade with 15 years of experience as a HEO and Mine Supervisor/Trainer. Gavin is grateful for Gary’s guidance and support as he begins charting his own path, eyeing a management role down the road.

“This promotion is a great opportunity for me to grow professionally and personally. I love my new role, sharing my knowledge with Tahltans starting out in the industry. Seeing them learn new skills and become more confident in their abilities is rewarding. I’m paying forward the training and mentorship I have received. I have learned so much from Gary and the other TNDC mentors. It is good to see TNDC promoting Tahltans from within, providing training and development. I am gaining valuable relationship, conflict resolution and human resources skills. I still have lots to learn but I am grateful for TNDC’s support in my career advancement,” Gavin says.

Gavin completed the Mine Supervisor Certification as part of his onboarding to becoming a TNDC Trainer.

“Gavin is an excellent role model for Tahltans and demonstrates what can be achieved through drive, determination and high performance. This is precisely the workplace environment we are building at TNDC. A progressive chain of learning, development, training and mentoring of Tahltans, growing their skills and building their capacity, enabling them to take on more leadership roles. We look forward to continuing to support Gavin in his career growth with TNDC,” says Carol Danielson, Chair of TNDC’s Board of Directors.