The two have partnered for the project, with the OEM backing the practical component of the Industrial Battery Electric Vehicle Maintenance course. The curriculum for the course was developed by both entities and has been designed for heavy-duty technicians in mining.

"The Cambrian-MacLean strategic skills and technology partnership will focus both on the training of heavy-duty mechanics to support battery electric vehicle (BEV) fleets, as well as supporting the development of the next generation of mechatronics workers in the mining industry by providing Cambrian students with the opportunity to work directly with the MacLean Advanced Vehicle Technology (AVT) team based out of the company's Research and Training Facility," MacLean said.

Specifically, students will learn about battery-electric vehicle safety, battery-electric mobile equipment, communication and troubleshooting.

Cambrian's Centre for Smart Mining, in addition to providing corporate training, also has the distinction of being the only federally recognized Technology Access Centre specific to the mining technology sector.

MacLean Northern Ontario operations general manager Stella Holloway said practical training for BEV mechanics and applied research opportunities for the next generation of mechatronics professionals to facilitate the adoption of on-vehicle technology are key, and for the OEM it underscored its commitment to the region.

"This is a chance for us to walk the talk when it comes to ramping up our research and training facility to actively support long-term, positive change in mining.

Cambrian's Centre for Smart Mining manager Stephen Gravel added: "Successful innovation depends on great collaboration, and I think this partnership with MacLean is a perfect example. No single educational institution or company can drive change entirely on its own, but rather it's a spirit of cooperation that will help us drive innovation in mining of the 21st century and that's why I'm confident we'll succeed."