Media Advisory - Closing the Skills Gap: Mapping a Path for Small Business

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is hosting a one-day symposium to address the skills issues that Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) are facing. Small businesses alone employ almost half of the workforce in the private sector and the skills gap they are experiencing has a direct impact on our competitiveness.

The discussion between SMEs from across the country, Government and key stakeholders will aim at sharing small business best practices in alleviating skills pressures; suggesting actions to encourage increased essential skills development, skills upgrading and training of SMEs employees; and recommending policy options to encourage SMEs to focus more attention on skills development.

Speakers include Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, Ron Parker, Associate Deputy Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Craig Wright, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist, RBC Financial Group.

Panelists include: Allan Bailey, President, Centre for Learning Impact (Toronto); Professor Paul Bélanger, Université du Québec à Montréal; Yvon Boudreau, Consultant, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Quebec (Montreal) ; Scott Murray, President, DataAngel Policy Research (Ottawa); Emad Rizkalla, President & CEO, Bluedrop Performance Learning (St. John's);  Lorelei Roberts-Loder, Manager, Employer Services, Advanced Education and Skills, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's); Silvano Tocchi, Director General, Workplace Partnerships Directorate, Skills and Employment Branch, HRSDC; and Jean-Pierre Voyer, President, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (Ottawa). Catharine Larkin, Director, Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions, Toronto, will moderate the final panel.

Media availability
The Minister's remarks are open to media

What:	Remarks by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development are open to press.
When:	12 Noon, Wednesday November 14, 2012
Where:	Sheraton Centre Toronto, Ontario

NOTE: This project was made possible with funding support from the Government of Canada's Office of Literacy and Essential Skills. 

 

SOURCE: CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Émilie S. Potvin
Director, Public Affairs & Media Relations
Office: 613.238.4000 (231)
Cell.: 613.797.1860
[email protected]