PDAC Indigenous Youth and Early Career Ambassador Program
The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada is committed to supporting Indigenous youth and early career professionals in exploring the opportunities generated by the mineral industry.
This Program aims to connect Indigenous youth and early career professionals from across Canada to the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining convention. It is the PDAC’s hope that becoming an Ambassador will inspire careers in the mineral industry, and provide Ambassadors with valuable networking opportunities and new insights into the PDAC and the mineral industry to take back to their communities and organizations.
Eligibility criteria and application form.
Industry Involvement
The PDAC’s unique Student & Early Career Program provides participating companies a multitude of free engagement opportunities to connect directly with post-secondary students and early-career individuals!
For maximum exposure, participate in various events to meet with upcoming talent and keen job seekers.
Student & Early Career Centre
Your first stop for all things related to students and early career individuals! Stop by for information on how to make the most of the convention, programming and events, engagement opportunities, and much more.
PDAC-SEG Student Minerals Colloquium
The Student Minerals Colloquium (SMC) brings together geoscience students and industry professionals to highlight innovative student research on projects essential for the successful evolution of the modern mining industry.
This event provides industry professionals with an opportunity to support and stay current with ongoing international research from students across the world.
For more information visit: Mineral Exploration Research Centre (laurentian.ca)
Student Minerals Colloquium Awards Ceremony & Reception
Celebrate the most up-to-date research in economic geology conducted by BSc, MSc, and Ph.D. students from across the globe, while networking with your colleagues during the reception. Meet all the participants in the SMC and join us for the announcement of the winners of the 2025 Poster Competition.
Convention Kickstart
Discover the many opportunities available to you during the Convention and learn strategies for successfully networking and navigating your way through PDAC 2025.
Student-Industry Mixer
This networking event provides a unique opportunity for students, early career individuals, and industry professionals to connect in a relaxed environment. All student attendees will be entered in a draw for tuition top-up awards and the winners of the Mary-Claire Ward Geoscience Award and the ERM Bursary will be announced, as well as the students selected for the 2025 Student-Industry Mineral Exploration Workshop (S-IMEW).
Must be a student member to be eligible for the draw.
PDAC-CIM Toronto Branch Guided Tours of the Exhibits
Meet some of the #studentfriendly companies that exhibit in the Trade Show, Investors Exchange, Core Shack and Prospectors Tent by taking a guided tour of the exhibits. Each tour stop will allow students and early career individuals to learn about the focus of the organization’s projects and potential career opportunities.
20 Minute Mentoring
These one-on-one meetings connect students and early career individuals with experienced industry professionals for personalized feedback on their educational and professional careers.
Participants are welcome to ask questions and discuss topics including (but not limited to): interview and resume tips, job searching, achieving future career goals, education and training advice, careers in the industry, complementary skillsets, Convention pro-tips, and key sessions to attend.
Next Generation Explorers Award (NGEA™)
The NGEA™ was founded in honour of Frank Arnott (1951-2009), an exceptional exploration industry leader who championed innovative techniques that maximized the value of multidisciplinary data underpinning mineral exploration campaigns worldwide.
Click here for further information and application details.