Kirkland Lake mine supplier trains its own.

As a company that has had its doors open for over 75 years, Kirkland Lake's Heath & Sherwood Drilling has evolved in its technology, the service it offers and work environment to meet global mining demands.

As a two-person company founded in 1927, Heath & Sherwood provided diamond drilling contracting and manufactured the equipment for local mining clients, such as steam-powered drills that bored to depths of approximately 100 to 150 feet.

In 2005, the now-publicly owned company has flourished into a 150-employee worldwide innovative diamond drilling service.

In the 1950s, the manufacturing portion separated from the diamond drilling. Now the majority of the equipment is manufactured by North Bay's JKS Boyles, an Atlas Copco subsidiary, says Heath & Sherwood's general manager, Grenville Whyte.

Part of their diversification is the sales and service of the equipment, which ties in well with contracts on which the company may bid. Not only will they put together a physical package of drilling equipment, but Heath & Sherwood offers turnkey packages to mining companies. This means labour, equipment and possibly, expertise to educate and train people how to operate the equipment.

"We maintain good relationships with our employees and our customers," Whyte says.

He added that the employees enjoy the travel they experience when required to go out of country for a job.

"It's one of the incentives here where the people know they have this opportunity to go to such areas."

Heath & Sherwood also offers a drill-training program with guidelines set out by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities for anyone who may be interested in diamond drilling.

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Since the program is not offered by a conventional college, the company trains people who may not have any specific skill sets coming into the business. Experienced, qualified drillers perform the training, called train the trainer.

Classes are held at their facility in Kirkland Lake, and the hands-on experience is gained out in the field under the supervision of the trainers. Depending upon the individual's progress, the training which is much like an apprenticeship, can extend from eight months to three years, while continual upgrading and certification occurs for common core procedures, as well as specific tasks. The company also trains workers from other countries who want to learn how to use the equipment. Training is provided either in Canada or elsewhere.

Incentives and wages vary depending on where the job is located, and like most companies, the wages increase over time with accumulated experience. As they acquire skills and experience, many earn in excess of $100,000 per year.

A company-sponsored employee's association, where employees contribute fund matched by the company, helps support employee functions like golf tournaments, Christmas dances, summer family events and awards banquets to acknowledge long-standing years of service.

www.heathandsherwood.com

By ADELLE LARMOUR

Northern Ontario Business