Guest Blogger: Prime the Pipeline

Guest Blogger, Jennifer Russo, Communications and External Relations Manager,
Resolution Copper

Here at Resolution Copper, our Resolution Project is still in the early stages of exploration and development; mine production will not begin until 2020. However, we are working now to develop a skilled workforce. The emphasis is on forming strategic alliances with leading academic and vocational institutions, and area school districts, with a commitment to train and hire from within our host communities wherever possible.

Realizing this commitment requires financial and non-monetary investments, examples of what we’re doing now to prime the pipeline for the future include:

• Resolution Copper Scholarship Program: Scholarships support deserving young men and women in their academic pursuits. After a rigorous application and interview process-candidates meet with both a school committee and company staff-winners are selected and awarded a four-year, $6,000 renewable grant.
• Summer internship program: Summer internships give students the opportunity to supplement their education by working at Resolution Copper. Students work alongside company employees in a variety of departments. At the conclusion of the intern program, all interns resume their college studies, or as this case with one local young woman, join the company in an official capacity.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, Gila Community College, Rodel Charitable Foundation (specifically the Mac-RO initiatives for kids), are proving to be a win-win. The partnerships focus on meeting a specific need for both the learning institution and the company.

The company is working today towards its mission of developing a workforce that can support mining operations throughout the project lifecycle. This means identifying and aligning with prospective academic partners now that promote student excellence and encourage new ways of thinking and solving technical and social challenges

Teri asked me to provide a few tips that will hopefully benefit learning institutions and nonprofit organizations in the education space looking for private sector partners.

When searching for a prospective partner:

• Make sure you have sound information about one another. For the academic institution, this means knowing the local-and in some cases parent company’s- approach to educational partnerships. Understand their short and long-term intentions. Does it transcend traditional check writing? Are they looking to involve employees in some hands-on capacity like classroom teaching, presentations or mentoring?
• Ensure it’s a strategic fit. In our case, not just any technical institute will do. We’re looking for vocational providers that train students seeking careers in robotics and other high-tech fields.
• Show how the partnership will be mutually beneficial. Can your institution help meet a critical skills gap? Do you have staff that can participate in skills assessments with the company? Are there other innovative ideas you can bring to the table on how the company can help students become prepared for the workplace?
• Finally, once the partnership is executed, it must be managed effectively. This takes commitment from both parties. Provisions of the agreement may include regular, formal meetings, progress reports, designated contacts, and an exit strategy if either partner feels that obligations are going unfulfilled.

Cooperative education efforts benefit communities, companies, schools, and most importantly, students.

Jennifer Russo, Communications and External Relations Manager, Resolution Copper. Jennifer is accountable for developing and implementing the company’s public relations, internal communications, community and government affairs programs. Resolution Copper is seeking to develop what could be the largest copper mine in North America near Superior, Arizona.