Student & Early Career
S-IMEW
The Student-Industry Mineral Exploration Workshop (S-IMEW) is a unique opportunity for upper-year geoscience students to apply their knowledge to mineral exploration techniques, while learning about the myriad of available careers in the exploration industry.
This two-week, all expense paid workshop provides students from across Canada with a technical and business perspective of mineral exploration through hands on learning and interactions with industry professionals.
Convention
The Student & Early Career Program at Convention offers individuals a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals from around the world. Build your network, learn about careers in the industry, and attend engaging presentations to stay up to date on exciting industry developments.
Student & Early Career
Program at PDAC 2025
This program offers individuals a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals from around the world. Build your network, learn about careers in the industry, attend engaging presentations and to stay up to date on exciting industry developments.
Convention Travel Funding
The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada is committed to supporting opportunities for students to experience different facets of the mineral exploration industry. The PDAC International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange offer students a unique experience by hosting events designed specifically with students in mind. The Convention Travel fund was implemented to help students offset transportation costs to attend the Convention.
Dr. Donald M. Leishman
Convention Experience
The Dr. Donald M. Leishman Convention Experience, created by the Leishman family in 2022, is an exciting opportunity that provides financial support for five students to attend the PDAC Convention. The Experience offers networking and learning opportunities for students in a geoscience or mining related program who have never attended the Convention.
Freeport-McMoRan Student Accommodation Funding
PDAC is pleased to announce that Freeport-McMoRan has come on board to sponsor and provide valuable funding to help subsidize the cost of accommodations for students attending PDAC 2025 Convention. Applications for funding are open and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Convention offers volunteers the opportunity to exchange their time for a complimentary All Access Pass to the convention. In addition, volunteers receive volunteer apparel, food vouchers, a gift card and a certificate of participation.
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.
Opportunities for Industry
Connect with Students at Convention
As part of our commitment to engaging and retaining new talent in the exploration and development industry, PDAC hosts a number of student and early career events during the convention.
Get Involved with S-IMEW
S-IMEW offers companies an opportunity to support Canada's future geoscientists through this two-weeks hands on Workshop that allows them to put their education into practice before entering the workforce.
Wage Subsidy Programs
MiHR’s wage subsidy programs benefit youth, post-secondary students, mining workers and employers.
Financial Support
Mary-Claire Ward Geoscience Award
The award is administered by the Geological Association of Canada (GAC), the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), the National Geological Surveys Committee, the Canadian Geological Foundation, and Watts, Griffis and McOuat Ltd.
Field Trip Funding
PDAC is pleased to support geoscience field trips for student groups as part of an academic course with an emphasis on support for field mapping schools. Funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Freeport-McMoRan Student Accommodation Funding
PDAC is pleased to announce that Freeport-McMoRan has come on board to sponsor and provide valuable funding to help subsidize the cost of accommodations for students attending PDAC 2025 Convention. Applications for funding are open and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Convention Travel Funding
The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada is committed to supporting opportunities for students to experience different facets of the mineral exploration industry. The PDAC International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange offer students a unique experience by hosting events designed specifically with students in mind.
The Convention Travel fund was implemented to help students offset transportation costs to attend the Convention.
PDAC bursaries
Dr. Donald M. Leishman Convention Experience
The Dr. Donald M. Leishman Convention Experience, created by the Leishman family in 2022, is an exciting opportunity that provides financial support for five students to attend the PDAC Convention. The Experience offers networking and learning opportunities for students in a geoscience or mining related program who have never attended the Convention.
Wage Subsidy Programs
MiHR's wage subsidy programs benefit youth, post-secondary students, mining workers, and employers.
They help recruit, retain, and develop the workforce by enabling mining employers to provide work opportunities to build competency in a new talent, allow workers to practice newly acquired skills on the job, and expand the skilled labour pool for industry to meet labour demands.
Career & Networking
Frank Arnott - Next Generation Explorers Award (NGEA™) Challenge
The Frank Arnott – Next Generation Explorers Award (NGEA™) is an international mining competition in which teams of geoscience students work with modern geoscience datasets and pitch their innovative interpretation of the geology and mineral exploration potential. The top six teams from around the world will be selected by a panel of industry judges and receive an all expenses paid trip to the PDAC convention in Toronto, Canada where they’ll expand their industry networks, increase potential employment opportunities, and compete for cash prizes totaling $14,000!
The NGEA™ challenge is open to current undergraduate earth science degree or post-graduate research (masters or PhD) students enrolled at the time of registration. All entries must be submitted by October 31st, 2025.
