Canada-Alberta International Conference on Competing for Skills

Agenda

Monday, August 31, 2009
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
McDougall Centre
455-6 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta 

Purpose:    The objective of this event is to share knowledge, showcase best practices, to discuss challenges and to generate new ideas, innovations and practices for the future role of VET in the 21st century.  

Note: The dress attire for the conference and reception is business casual.

 This will be a green event.

7:45 – 8:30 a.m. Registration/Refreshments
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.

Welcome

  • The Honourable Dave Hancock, Minister, Alberta Education
8:45-9:00 a.m.

Special Comments

  • Mr. Aart de Geus, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD
9:00-9:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks

  • Mr. Keray Henke, Chair, OECD Education Policy Committee and Deputy Minister, Alberta Education
  • Ms. Janice Charette, Deputy Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
9:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Panel 1: “Recent Innovations in VET”

  • Moderator: Dr. Satya Brink, Director, National Policy Learning Research, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Panelists:

  • The Honourable Anne Tolley, Minister of Education (New Zealand)
  • Dr. Tom Karmel, Director, National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (Australia)
  • Mr. Michel Aribaud, European Commission (European Commission, Belgium)
  • Ms. Cathy Faber, Director, Innovative Learning Services, Calgary Board of Education, and
  • Mr. Greg Michaud, Dean, Centre for Academic Learner Services, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Canada)
10:45 – 11:00 p.m. Health Break
11:00-12 noon Question and Answer Period
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch

  • Mr. Paul Thompson, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
1:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Keynote Speaker

  • Mr. Tjerk (Jack) Dusseldorp, President, WorldSkills International
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Panel 2: “The New Global Economic Context: Does it merit a new VET response?”

  • Moderator: Dr. Satya Brink, Director, National Policy Learning Research, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Panelists:

  • Dr. Ursula Renold, Director, Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (Switzerland)
  • Ms. Margaret McKinnon, Group Manager, Youth and Industry Skills, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (Australia)
  • Ms. Natalia Cuddy, National Coordinator, Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (United Kingdom)
  • Mr.Seamus Hempenstall, Principal Officer, Department of Education and Science (Ireland)
3:30 – 3:45 p.m. Health Break
3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Question and Answer Period
4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

OECD Report on VET

  • Ms. Kathrin Hoeckel, Directorate for Education, OECD Learning for Jobs, OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training
5:00 – 5:45 p.m.

Wrap Up

  • Mr. Keray Henke, Chair, OECD Education Policy Committee and Deputy Minister, Alberta Education
  • Ms. Janice Charette, Deputy Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Special Remarks

  • Mr. Aart de Geus, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD

Closing Remarks

  • The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
  • The Honourable Dave Hancock, Minister, Alberta Education
5:45 – 8:00 p.m.

Reception (Hosted by Alberta Education)

  • Catering by: Bishop McNally High School Culinary Program (Calgary)