Sudbury, ON – September 26, 2025
NORCAT celebrated a milestone last week, marking its 30th anniversary with an evening of reflection, recognition, and celebration at its Sudbury headquarters. The event brought together employees, community leaders, industry partners, and alumni to honour three decades of growth and innovation.
Founded in 1995 in the basement of Cambrian College with just five employees and second-hand furniture, NORCAT began with a bold vision: to innovate, educate, and create opportunities in the mining and innovation sectors while improving workplace safety. Thirty years later, the organization has grown into a global leader in training, technology, and entrepreneurship.
“Thirty years ago, we started with a vision and a handful of talented people,” said Jason Bubba, Chief Operating Officer and master of ceremonies for the evening. “From CD-ROM-based learning to today’s award-winning VR and AR training technologies, NORCAT has always been about creating the future.”
Chief Technology Officer and original team member Ed Wisniewski reflected on the early days. “We didn’t have handbooks, we didn’t have policies—we just believed we could build something important. Every challenge became a story we still laugh about today. The real achievement isn’t the awards, it’s knowing that our tools have helped train workers around the world to be safer and more skilled.”
The celebration also highlighted NORCAT ’s evolution as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. A mentor through NORCAT Innovation and community business leader, Peter Dal Bianco praised the organization’s transformation over the last decade. “NORCAT has built an innovation centre now recognized among the top in Canada. We’ve gone from being known for safety training to becoming a powerhouse in helping startups grow and succeed.”
CEO Don Duval, who has led NORCAT for the past 13 years, emphasized the organization’s core values as key to its longevity. “We’ve lasted 30 years because of our focus on quality, results, adaptability, and teamwork. Not every organization can survive unplanned shocks, changing markets, and new technologies—but we’ve not only survived, we’ve thrived.”
The evening also paid tribute to long-serving employees, some with more than two decades of service. “It speaks to the culture we’ve built,” said Duval. “This is a great place to be, and we look forward to the next 30 years.”
From its unique underground training mine to its world-class digital learning studio and growing international presence, NORCAT continues to position Ontario as a leader in mining innovation and workforce development.
As the celebration concluded, guests were invited to experience NORCAT’s cutting-edge virtual reality technologies firsthand—a fitting showcase for an organization that has spent three decades shaping the future of work.
About NORCAT
Founded in 1995, NORCAT is a global leader in skilled labour training and development, workplace safety, and innovation services. Headquartered in Sudbury, Ontario, with operations across North America and beyond, NORCAT empowers people, companies, and communities to drive productivity, safety, and growth.
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MineConnect extends its congratulations to NORCAT’s board and team on reaching this remarkable 30-year milestone.
