Matthew Poucachiche works at the Canadian Malartic Mine, one of Canada's largest open-pit gold mines, situated in Malartic, in the administrative region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The young man, who is in his twenties and a former dropout, went back to school to complete a double diploma in vocational studies before embarking on an exciting career in mining. He is telling us about his journey.
A Gold Mine Matthew was born and grew up in Lac Simon (or Simosagigan), an Algonquin community in Québec with a population of 1,380, where he lived a happy and active childhood. Matthew Poucachiche first worked as a subcontractor for three years before being hired directly by the mine in 2020. He drives a 793 truck – a 240-ton monster used specifically in the mining industry - in which ore is transported. It's a demanding job, primarily due to the long twelve-hour shifts spent sitting down, with the stamina and concentration required. Matthew is part of a team of about fifty workers.
An Algonquin Childhood He left high school mid-way through but seized a unique opportunity to return to school. Matthew was born and raised in Lac-Simon (also known as Simosagigan), a First Nations reserve in Québec with a population of 1,380 located in the Vallée-de-l'Or regional county municipality in Abitibi. The majority of the Nation Anishnabe of Lac-Simon community members reside there today.
He had a happy and active childhood and enjoyed playing hockey and baseball, surrounded by his five siblings. "We spent a lot of time in the woods hunting and fishing as a family."
In school, while Matthew did well in math and English, he struggled in French and dropped out in the middle of high school. He then did a series of odd jobs before the director of the Centre régional d’éducation des adultes Kitci Amik invited him to enroll in a double DVS program in Conduite de machinerie lourde en voirie forestière and Abattage et façonnage des bois (program offered in French only).
The courses are offered in partnership with the CFP Mont-Laurier and are given directly in the community. This opportunity does not come along every year.
An Exciting Training CFP Mont-Laurier offers courses given directly in the community, allowing the double DVS program to be completed. An opportunity that Matthew seized. Strongly encouraged by his mother, Matthew enrolled in the training. This was back in 2016 when he was 21 years old. The center helped Matthew obtain his equivalencies to meet the DVS admission requirements. Although he had doubts, due mainly to his difficulties in high school, Matthew loved his training.
"I am shy, but I quickly integrated into the group. It allowed me to meet new people and connect with them. We were a great group, like a family."
Matthew Poucachiche, Heavy Equipment Operator Matthew readily admits that he was not a truck fanatic as a child but quickly gained interest in driving machinery during his training. All of the equipment was shipped in from the Mont-Laurier training centre so that the cohort of about twenty students had the necessary equipment to practice right in the community.
Despite this, he found it challenging to keep up with his training. His director played a crucial role in keeping him on track. "He motivated me not to give up. Sometimes you just need a good kick in the butt!"
After graduating, Matthew worked in forestry for a while, but this sector did not align with his values, he says. He prefers the mining industry.
A Job in the Mining Industry Matthew's group partnered with EACOM Timber Corporation, a large wood products company in Eastern Canada. Since joining Canadian Malartic, Matthew has benefitted from a 5-4-4-5 work schedule, meaning he works five days, is off four days, then works four days, and is off five days. It's a perfect job for him as it still leaves time to play not only hockey but also plays softball, not to mention hunting and fishing.
With good working conditions and a good salary, he can afford to make his dreams come true and enjoy life. He treated his parents to a trip to Montreal to see a Boston Hockey Club game, as his mom is a big fan. He wants to buy a house and a boat. He also spends a lot of time on Algonquin ancestral territory in the Ottawa River region, where his family has a family cabin. "My father is a great fisherman and hunter."
Prospects Today, Matthew works at Canadian Malartic Mine, one of Canada's largest open-pit gold mines. Matthew now lives in Val-d'Or. He is considering changing assignments at the mine so he can learn new skills and reduce the length of his workday. He hopes to start a family with his spouse in the next few years.
The small community of Lac-Simon, where he is originally from, is going through tough times (lack of housing, unemployment), but conditions are slowly improving. "I want to be a positive example for young people like me. There is a lot of prejudice against First Nations people. I'm proud to show what I can do and how I am a good worker," says Matthew.
"In my line of work, you of course have to be a talented driver, but you also have to be able to manage your stress, follow the rules, and be transparent and vigilant because safety is an important value in the mining industry."
Matthew Poucachiche, Heavy Equipment Operator Double DVS in Conduite de machinerie lourde en voirie forestière and Abattage et façonnage des bois It is a training that combines two DVS programs, for a total of 1,470 hours, offered at the Centre de formation professionnelle Mont-Laurier. Thanks to a partnership, this training was given in Lac-Simon to a group of Indigenous individuals who left school before completing high school.
In collaboration with forestry companies in the region, the practical training is done on a forestry site, in actual working conditions. This practical work lasts twelve weeks and is divided into two schedules (day and night shifts). In addition, during the training, the students are supervised by a team of experienced instructors.
Consult other videos related to the trade and training under the Useful links and videos tab on the Conduite de machinerie lourde en voirie forestière program page.
Matthew Poucachiche's cohort worked in partnership with EACOM Timber Corporation, an Eastern Canadian wood products company (acquired in February 2022 by Interfor). Its activities include the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of lumber and value-added wood products, as well as forest resource management.
Interfor is a forest products company with operations in Canada and the United States. Its activities in Québec are carried out in four sites: one in Matagami (sawmill), two in Val-d'Or, one of which is dedicated to the manufacturing of value-added wood products, and the Montreal office.
Profession: Heavy Equipment Operator Forestry heavy equipment operators ensure the upkeep of forestry roads. They build and level paths using shovels, bulldozers, or graders. It is a stimulating job for those who enjoy working outdoors and in nature. It requires excellent dexterity, good reflexes, resourcefulness, autonomy, and being responsible.
Profession: Logging Machinery Operator Logging machinery operators, also known as forestry machinery operators, fell, trim, buck, and transport trees using logging machines (such as multi-function heads, feller-bunchers, timber carriers, and grapple skidders).
Consult other videos related to the trade and training under the Useful links and videos tab on the Abattage et façonnage des bois program page.
As part of their duties, they maintain and troubleshoot machinery. It is a job for people who enjoy working outdoors and in nature, often in remote locations. It requires excellent vision, good physical stamina, good reflexes, autonomy, and resourcefulness.
Institut national des mines du Québec The mission of the Institut national des mines is to support the government in its educational responsibilities in the mining sector. It acts as an advisor to the government by relying on the research projects it conducts and on the suggestions made by stakeholders in the education and mining sectors to promote mining education in Québec, Canada, and the world.
Canadian Malartic Mine The Canadian Malartic Partnership (Partnership) is owned equally by Yamana Gold Inc. and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. It manages and operates Canadian Malartic Mine , Canada’s largest open-pit gold mine located in the Town of Malartic, in the heart of the Abitibi Gold Belt.