More than 300 experts set priorities to address skills shortage

    TORONTO, May 21 /CNW/ - More than 300 representatives from business,
education, labour and government are meeting today in Toronto to prioritize
recommendations to help governments develop comprehensive strategies to
address the workforce shortage challenge.
    "Ontario's ability to compete in the global economy depends on access to
a qualified and available workforce," said Ian Howcroft, vice-president of the
Ontario division of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. "Government, employers
and educators must work together to address the immediate need to retrain
unemployed workers and the long-term challenge to avert a skills shortage
crisis."
    The strategy session is a detailed follow-up to province wide
consultations from February and March. At the strategy session today,
participants will consider issues such as employment challenges for
under-represented groups, modernizing the education system, and strengthening
public awareness of different career opportunities. The workforce shortage
coalition's final report to governments will be based on feedback from more
than 700 individuals and businesses who took part in 10 consultations across
the province over the past six months.
    The keynote speakers at the session today are Training, Colleges and
Universities Minister John Milloy, and Ross Laver, the vice-president of
policy and communications for the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.
    The province faces immediate pressures to retrain people who have lost
their jobs in the changing economy, particularly in sectors such as
manufacturing and forestry. At the same time, some sectors are struggling to
find qualified people, and this challenge will intensify as the baby boomers
retire.
    It is expected Ontario will be short more than 360,000 skilled employees
by 2025, according to a Conference Board of Canada report released by the
coalition last fall. This could escalate to a shortage of more than
560,000 skilled employees by 2030.
    The federal and provincial governments have recognized the significance
of the skills shortage challenge. The strategy session today will develop
recommendations that help governments address the issue in a meaningful way.
    "It is essential that skills strategies are developed as quickly as
possible," said Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. "There
are urgent pressures to help laid-off workers and to put steps in place to
strengthen Ontario's position over the longer term."

    Ontario's Workforce Shortage Coalition represents more than
100,000 employers and millions of employees throughout the province. To learn
more about the coalition's work, please visit www.workforcecoalition.ca.
    Ontario's Workforce Shortage Coalition includes the Automotive Parts
Manufacturers' Association, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, the Canadian
Restaurant and Foodservices Association, the College Student Alliance,
Colleges Ontario, CON(*)NECT, the Council of Ontario Construction Associations,
the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and
Technologists, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Mining
Association, the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association, the Power
Workers' Union, Retail Council of Canada, Skills-Canada Ontario, Ontario
Environment Industry Association, Ontario General Contractors Association,
Greater Toronto Hotel Association, Toronto Financial Services Alliance,
Alliance of Ontario Food Processors, the Ontario Tourism Council and the
Ontario Marine Operators Association.

For further information: Darrell Neufeld, Senior Communications Officer,
Colleges Ontario, [phone], ext. 242, [e-mail]