Events

Canada-Alberta International Conference on Competing for Skills: Vocational Education and Training in the 21st Century

In cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

When: August 31, 2009
Where: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The Canada-Alberta International Conference on Competing for Skills: Vocational Education and Training in the 21st Century, is scheduled to take place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on August 31, 2009.  The conference is a joint venture between the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Conference Aim and Objectives

The purpose of the Conference is to bring together policy makers and researchers from Canada and OECD member countries to discuss recent innovations in vocational education and training (VET), and whether the current and emerging global economic context requires a different or more flexible response from VET programs around the globe.  This event will be a timely discussion which recognizes that robust and responsive VET programs can fuel the economic recovery by addressing current economic challenges and preparing youth and adults to be more highly skilled for the new economy. 

The results from this conference will also inform the OECD Learning for Jobs project.

This Conference will allow participants to:

  • share knowledge of innovative policies and practices,
  • discuss the impacts and challenges associated with the worldwide recession, and,
  • generate new ideas, innovations and practices for the future role of VET.

The panelists represent an exceptional range of VET programs. To ensure that the sessions of the Conference are as interactive and as constructive as possible, part of each session will be organised as a question and answer period.  A draft program is provided and further background and discussion papers will be made available for participants in advance of the conference.  You may also click on the resources page to obtain information on the keynote speaker, the panelists, the final program, and other background documents required for the conference.

The working languages of the Conference will be English and French: simultaneous interpretation will be available in both languages.

This Conference will also take place in tandem with WorldSkills Calgary 2009.  This 40th WorldSkills Competition brings together students and apprentices from around the world to demonstrate their excellence in trades and technologies in an international skills competition. Hosted by Alberta, from September 1 - 7, 2009, WorldSkills Calgary is expected to attract 150,000 people, including students, the general public, Competitors and spectators from 51 Member countries/regions of WorldSkills International.

 This will be a green event. All background documents for the conference will be posted on the resources website by July 31.

Hotel Information

Hotel rooms are held for you at the Westin Hotel.  Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-937-8461 and referencing the “Canada-Alberta International Conference” at the Westin Calgary, located at 320 – 4th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta.”

Rooms are held at a special rate until July 31.  Any rooms booked beyond this date are not guaranteed for availability.

Walking directions from the Westin Hotel to McDougall centre

Tourism Information

If you are considering extending your stay in Alberta, please visit the following links for travel information on Calgary and Canada's beautiful Rocky Mountains (only an hour's drive from Calgary):

Inquiries

Questions can be directed to either Carla Corbett at 780-422-1193  (carla.corbett@gov.ab.ca) or Carolyn Fewkes at 780-644-4608 (carolyn.fewkes@gov.ab.ca).