Slumping iron ore prices throw wrench in students' plans

Two mining technician students in Labrador West are second-guessing their career choices amid a downturn in the iron ore industry, after seeing major layoffs at the Iron Ore Company in the region.

The two-year program at the College of the North Atlantic in Labrador City is supposed to include a seven-week work term at the IOC mine.

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However, with the company laying off workers, this year's placements are cancelled.

Change in industry 'demoralizing'

First-year student Christopher Collins, 24, is finding it difficult working toward a goal that may not be feasible in today's industry.

"You wake up every day and you're kind of wondering like, 'Am I going to do this program, am I going to finish it, am I going to get a job when I'm finished? Am I going to be able to support myself, have a family and stuff like that?"' said Collins.

"I'm wondering if at the end I'm going to have to try something else, move elsewhere? Don't really know what to do."

Collins' girlfriend Robin Hillier, 22, is also in the mining technician program and fears she will need to find a second job.

"It is really demoralizing because we went into this program thinking, I'm going to do a two-year program, it's a foot in the door to IOC or even a different mine," Hillier said.

With the closure of Wabush mines and layoffs at IOC, Hillier, whose father was laid off from the Labrador City mine, questions how a graduate could find a job before workers with years of experience.

Hillier said the work terms may be postponed until next summer.