Alberta has established a new council to ensure students learn the skills needed to enter the workforce.
The new council, coined The Premier’s Council on Skills is made up of 11 key industry stakeholders and will help Alberta’s government better understand the challenges, opportunities and changing needs of Alberta’s workforce.
Advice will be provided to the Premier, through the Minister of Advanced Education, to strengthen post-secondary programming and align Alberta with current and future industry demand.
“Our government is obsessed with attracting new investment to fuel our economy’s diversification,” said Premier Jason Kenney.
“We need skilled workers to fill the high-wage jobs that are being created in record numbers in Alberta. This council will help us to rise to the challenge in developing and retaining these skilled workers.”
According to a Government of Alberta release, the council fulfills a platform commitment as well as a recommendation of the Skills for Jobs Task Force. The council will provide critical industry input to inform government policies.
“I am honoured to be a member of the Premier’s Council on Skills. The important work done by this body will help ensure the fulfilment of current and future skill needs in our province while providing high-paying employment opportunities to Albertans,” said Dennis Perrin, chair, Premier’s Council on Skills and Alberta director, Christian Labour Association of Canada.
“The council is a bold and wise move by the government that will help align the skills required for our economy with the educational structures necessary to achieve them.”
Others on the council include:
Brent Allison, CEO, Long View Systems, Glenn Feltham, interim city manager, City of Medicine Hat – council vice-chair, Ken Gibson, executive director, Alberta Construction Association, Ron Koslowsky, vice-president, Manitoba division, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Jason Krips, president and CEO, Alberta Forest Products Association, Gurpreet Lail, president and CEO, Petroleum Services Association of Canada and principal of Lail Consulting, Tara Lockyer, chief people, culture, brand and communications officer, ATB Financial, Terry Parker, executive director, Building Trades Alberta, Darren Reeder, president and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta and Tom Snell, president and chair of the board of directors, Columbia College Calgary.