Education

Hecla’s commitment to providing educational and workforce development opportunities benefits our communities and our company.

Greens Creek’s Investment in Local Mining Training Programs for Alaskans

Hecla’s Greens Creek mine is the largest provider of student aid at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). Hecla has been a key partner for 12 years with the UAS Center for Mine Training for the Pathway to Mining Careers workforce development program which focused on educating, recruiting, and training Alaskans for careers in the mining industry. As a result, our Greens Creek mine has hired a substantial number of program graduates. Most recently, Hecla donated $250,000 to the endowment fund for the UAS Environmental Science fund.

Greens Creek promotes local recruitment initiatives that aim to keep qualified mining professionals in Alaska. We have hired eight graduates from the Juneau area through the Underground Mine Training Camp and the Surface Mining Operations Camp programs in Delta Junction, who are now underground support miners.

Hecla also offers scholarships to promising students in relevant careers, often leading to hiring the students for full-time positions upon graduation.

  • Greens Creek provides two full scholarships annually to students at Prince William Sound College with the expectation of becoming a full-time millwright at Hecla upon graduation. In 2022, two students participated in the program and three employees have been hired through this program.
  • Hecla provides $105,000 each year to award two Diesel Technologies scholarships to UAS students.
Greens Creek Annual Pathway Program

Middle School Tours

Intro to Mining Operations

High School Mine Academy

Diesel Program and Internships

Employment

Career Education Program Coordinator, University of Alaska Southeast

Casey Bain

“This continued partnership between UAS and Hecla Greens Creek means that another generation of Alaskans will have the support they need to start careers in one of Alaska’s most lucrative and vital industries.”

Hecla Quebec’s Partnership with the UQAT Foundation

The University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Hecla Quebec have partnered for over 11 years to support students through the UQAT Foundation (Fondation de l’Université du Québec en Abitibi- émiscamingue). Since 2009, Hecla Quebec has donated over $2 million to the Foundation thanks to a grant of $1 CAD per ounce of gold produced at the Casa Berardi Mine. The Foundation promotes and supports the accessibility, pursuit, and success of university studies for UQAT students.

A man speaking at UQAT

Mineral Extraction Program in Quebec

The James Bay Vocational Training Center allows students to perform the practical part of their training at the Casa Berardi Mine. In 2022, Hecla Quebec hired a total of 15 graduates from the Mineral Extraction program.

Mobile Mine Mechanics Training Program

Hecla Quebec has collaborated with the Centre de formation professionnelle de la Baie James and the Centres de formation professionnelle du Lac Abitibi on a mining mechanics training program.

Internship Programs

Hecla’s operating mines (Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Casa Berardi) all offer internship programs.