Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)

Designing Frontline Supervisor Training to Bridge Skill Gaps in the Mining Sector

Service

Instructor Led Training (ILT) Development

Industry

Mining | Leadership Development | Professional Skills

Training Type

Technical Training | Compliance Training | Professional Development

The Challenge ...

The mining sector faces a persistent challenge: a disconnect between the technical and leadership skills taught by educational institutions and the evolving demands of mining employers. This gap is particularly visible in frontline supervisory roles, where individuals must balance technical knowledge with people management, safety leadership, and operational decision-making. As a result, many mining companies are required to provide additional training to ensure new supervisors are fully prepared to manage teams safely and effectively. This duplication of effort places added strain on both employers and training providers, leading to inefficiencies and delays in workforce readiness.

The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) recognized the need for an industry-aligned Frontline Supervisor training program that would address both the technical and leadership skills critical for success in these roles, while reducing the training burden on employers.

The Process ...

AligneDesigns partnered with MiHR to develop a comprehensive, multi-day Frontline Supervisor training program that integrates both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skill development. The curriculum was carefully designed to prepare future supervisors with the full range of competencies required to lead safely and effectively in the mining environment.

The program combined two key learning streams:

Essential Skills Training:

This portion addressed the core work readiness and supervisory competencies validated by industry experts. It emphasized communication, problem-solving, leadership, workplace safety culture, and supervisory decision-making—skills essential for managing teams in complex mining operations.

Occupational Training:

Participants progressed into technical, occupation-specific modules focused on mining safety, equipment, operational procedures, and regulatory compliance. Practical, skill-based exercises were incorporated throughout, requiring learners to demonstrate mastery through hands-on assessments evaluated using standardized rubrics.

Both formative (ongoing) and summative (final) assessments were embedded in the training design. These included knowledge-based theory tests and live skill demonstrations to verify both understanding and application of supervisory principles and technical standards. This dual assessment model provided a full evaluation of both leadership capability and operational competency.

The Result ...

The Frontline Supervisor training program equips aspiring supervisors with the well-rounded skill set required to step confidently into leadership roles within the mining industry. By addressing both supervisory leadership and technical mining competencies, participants emerge job-ready, reducing the additional training burden for employers and strengthening the leadership pipeline for the industry.

Employers benefit from supervisors who are fully prepared to lead teams, promote safety, and manage operations effectively from day one. Training institutions and industry partners alike now have a replicable, industry-validated model for closing workforce readiness gaps. Through this partnership, MiHR is helping to advance the mining sector’s workforce development goals by providing high-quality, competency-based supervisor training.