PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GEOCHEMISTS: THE MAGNET MODEL

Geochemical techniques and tools (e.g., MC-ICP-MS, in-situ laser ablation) are increasingly used in resource exploration and extraction, geohazards prediction, and environmental monitoring and remediation. With many practitioners nearing retirement, demand in industry, government and academic settings for graduates with practical skills in geochemistry is at an all-time high. The Multidisciplinary Applied Geochemistry Network (MAGNET), an industrial-stream NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program involving leading researchers*, laboratories and industry partners across Canada, was formed in 2012 to help close this workforce supply gap. Now two years into this 6-year initiative, with 17 trainees at 5 universities, this presentation will address the program’s goals, structure and implementation, as well as highlight some of our successes and challenges. Annual workshops provide opportunities for hands-on training and in-depth skill development (e.g., mass spectrometry in 2013, field techniques in 2014) and build relationships within this national network. Professional development seminars allow trainees to acquire transferable skills (e.g., project management, teaching methods, graphic design) that complement their technical skills. Our online course in applied geochemistry emphasizes inter-university student collaboration, communication and presentation skills. Mobility and conference/workshop participation are highly encouraged and facilitated through annual travel stipends. Trainees gain practical skills via internships (20% time requirement) with mining and mineral exploration companies, environmental consulting firms, instrument manufacturers and commercial laboratories. Several successful internships have taken place in Canada, the US and UK, and we are implementing new strategies to increase industry interaction for the remainder of the program and beyond. The MAGNET example offers a unique opportunity to examine an established training program from a Canadian perspective, to learn from our hits and near-misses, and to apply these outcomes to other institutions and educational systems.

*PIs: S-J Barnes, B. Bergquist, I. Clark, R. Francois, U. Mayer, J. Scoates, B. Sherwood Lollar, J. Stix, D. Weis