As a grade 12 student from a small community near the future site of BHP’s Jansen potash mine, Allison Pasitney seldom saw women enter the mining industry.  

Twenty-five years later, she’s one of the first graduates of the BHP Potash Academy.  

"Being brand new to the industry, this is a milestone I never thought I would achieve," said Pasitney. "I’m incredibly proud of myself and my fellow graduates, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for all of us."

On Friday, September 5, BHP and Carlton Trail College came together to celebrate the first graduates of the BHP Potash Academy at Carlton Trail College in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. 

The inaugural cohort of 11 graduates were honoured at Discovery Lodge, BHP’s accommodation village located at the Jansen Potash Mine. 

Graduates of the Academy’s eight-month, fit-for-purpose program earn a Certificate in Mining Essentials, an Applied Certificate in Industrial Mechanics, permanent, full-time employment at Jansen and several high-risk safety certifications needed to fill critical roles at the mine.     

The paid program is designed to equip graduates with the necessary skills to successfully enter the mining industry. A mix of classroom and theory learning is offered, as well as practical workshop training for hands-on experience with a focus on skills required for production or maintenance technician roles at Jansen.  
 
BHP’s Asset President for Potash, Karina Gistelinck, said Saskatchewan is leading the country in overall new mining investment and over the next decade is expected to need an additional 15,000 new workers in the sector.

“When we saw there weren’t enough workers in the Saskatchewan mining industry, we used the same problem-solving mindset BHP has been using for the past 140 years to create our very own Potash Academy—an industry first in North America—in partnership with Carlton Trail College. It’s fabulous to be a part of this first graduation.”    

Carlton Trail College President and CEO, Amy Yeager, said Carlton Trail College is proud to support the inaugural graduates of the Potash Academy.

“Their success represents a major step forward in building a skilled workforce for our region and industry. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement.” 

Saskatchewan Minister of Energy and Resources, Colleen Young, noted that BHP is an excellent partner for the province, and the Potash Academy is a great example of what can be achieved when industry, educators and government collaborate to create the training opportunities required to build a strong future workforce for Saskatchewan.

“Investments being made by Saskatchewan’s growing potash industry will lead to decades of opportunity and the graduates of this program will be instrumental in driving that momentum.”

About BHP Potash Academy

Officially formed in July 2024 by BHP and Carlton Trail College, the BHP Potash Academy is designed to help kickstart additional career pathways to the mining industry in Saskatchewan. It’s housed in a new, purpose-built, 8,300 square-foot learning facility in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. The state-of-the-art space is designed to evolve with the program, featuring functional replications of mining equipment—including a borer, battery ore hauler, and continuous miner—as well as advanced training simulators. 

A second cohort of 22 trainees began classes at the BHP Potash Academy in June. 

More information on Potash Academy and how to apply can be found at  career8.successfactors.com. 

Carlton Trail College is a leading post-secondary institution committed to delivering high-quality education and training that prepares students for success. Emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and community engagement, the College offers a range of academic programs, workforce training, and educational services. With a strong focus on growth, the College is expanding its offerings through the development of a state-of-the-art trades training facility, further enhancing its ability to support the development of skilled professionals for today’s evolving workforce.

Photo (L-R, front row): Graduates Erica Gerwing, Vivian Tobias, Allison Pasitney, Ashley Manitopyes—Asset President, Potash, BHP, Karina Gistelinck—Mackenzie Jonasson, Sierra Tokarski, Loretta Nosbush (L-R, back row): Graduates Lyndon Roberts, Dylan Laliberte, Michelle Tolofson, Hunter Erikson