Premier Jason Kenney announces the creation of the Premier's Council on Skills. (Image: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Provincial Politics

Premier’s Council on Skills to advise on post-secondary programming

Sep 6, 2022 | 3:55 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new task force will help to guide the future of post-secondary programming in Alberta.

The Premier’s Council on Skills, comprised of 11 industry stakeholders, aims to help the provincial government to better understand the challenges, opportunities, and changing needs of Alberta’s workforce.

Premier Jason Kenney says the group will make a significant difference in aiding workers and industries in the long run.

“Our government is obsessed with attracting new investment to fuel our economy’s diversification,” says 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.”

Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicholaides adds that the council will act as a liaison between industries and the government on skills development and how post-secondary schools can adapt.

Individuals aged 55 and over

Central Alberta Older Adult Employment Strategy Assessment Project full report released

6h ago

UPDATE

Red Deer Polytechnic confirms student death on-campus

10h ago

retrofitting building

Carnival Cinemas applies to rezone for residential development

12h ago

“The council members are trailblazers in our province, and I know that they will bring a unique point of view that will help ensure Albertans learn the skills they need to succeed now and in the future,” says Nicholaides. “This council strengthens the cooperation between our post-secondary system and industry, and will help keep Alberta students – and our economy – on the right path forward.”

The members of the Premier’s Council on Skills are:

• Dennis Perrin, Alberta and Prairies director, Christian Labour Association of Canada – council chair
• 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
• Tom Snell, president and chair of the board of directors, Columbia College Calgary

Perrin says he is honoured to lead the Council and to work with the government.

“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,” says Perrin. “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.”

The province also introduced the Alberta 2030 plan last year, which will transform post-secondary education with goals to improve access and student experience, develop skills for jobs, support innovation and commercialization, strengthen internationalization, improve sustainability and affordability, and strengthen system governance.

NDP Labour Critic Christina Gray issued the following statement in response to the Premier’s Council on Skills:

“Alberta needs to attract and retain the skilled workers of tomorrow in order to create a stronger, more resilient economy. This is one of the most important goals any government can set.

“While the Premier’s Council for Skills includes many essential voices for providing advice on accomplishing this work, it is noticeably light on representatives from Alberta’s post-secondary institutions and polytechnics who play a critical role in skills development of young Albertans.

“In the last three years, the UCP government has reduced post-secondary funding by $690 million dollars, causing program cuts and steep hikes to student tuition. They also increased the interest on student debt.

“The UCP has pushed post-secondary education out of reach for some Albertans, especially during the worst affordability crisis in 40 years.

“The council has a mandate to advise on strengthening post-secondary education and should advise the government to reverse the cuts impacting the ability of young Albertans to afford programs that broaden their skills and lead to meaningful employment.”

READ MORE: Alberta 2030 plan to reconstruct the future of post-secondary education

(With files from rdnewsNOW)