Media Advisory - 3rd Annual Skills and Post-Secondary Education Summit 2015: Ensuring Social Well-Being and Economic Performance Through Education And Skills Development

EDMONTON, Oct. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - A high performing post-secondary education sector has always been a critical driver of economic performance and social well-being. In that regard, The Conference Board of Canada will bring together education experts and participants from across Canada and around the world to explore the future of education and skills development in Canada—including colleges and institutes, universities, apprenticeship and trades training.

The 3rd Skills and Post-Secondary Education Summit 2015: Towards a Skills and PSE Strategy for Canada, held in Edmonton from November 3 - 5, will address an array of important questions such as:

• Why do we need a national PSE and Skills Development Strategy?
• How can we improve Aboriginal peoples' skills, education, and labor market outcomes?
• How can we broaden youth exposure to advanced education and career options in the skilled trades and other areas, to meet the needs of Canadian businesses, and support sustainable economic growth?
• How to connect skilled graduates to the right job opportunities?
• What should be done to improve access and graduation rates from secondary schools and PSE programs for at-risk populations while ensuring high quality of programs?

When:	November 3–5, 2015
Where:	Delta Edmonton, South Hotel and Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta
Who:	Speakers include: Dr. Michael Bloom, Vice-President, Industry and Business Strategy, The Conference Board of Canada Eric Newell, Board Chair, CAREERS: The Next Generation, The Conference Board of Canada Douglas Watt, Director, Industry and Business Strategy Research, The Conference Board of Canada Harvey P. Weingarten, President and Chief Executive Officer, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Rod R. Skinkle President and Chief Executive Officer, Academica Group Inc. Dr. Neil Fassina, Provost and Vice-President Academic, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Karen McBride, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Bureau for International Education Dr. Alexander Zahavich, Vice-President, Corporate Development and Applied Research, SAIT Polytechnic Norma Schneider, Vice-President, Teaching and Learning and Chief Academic Offcer, NorQuest College

For the full list of speakers, schedule and times, visit: http://www.conferenceboard.ca/Libraries/CONF_PDFS_PUBLIC/15-0108.sflb

Advance media accreditation is required for this event.

The 3^rd Skills and Post-Secondary Education Summit 2015 is presented thanks to generous contributions of our sponsors: SAIT Polytechnic, University of Alberta, Enbridge, The City of Edmonton, MacEwan University and NORQUEST College.

SOURCE Conference Board of Canada

For further information and media accreditation: Sean Burgess, Media Relations, Tel.: [phone], ext. 294, E-mail: [email protected]; or Yvonne Squires, Media Relations, Tel.: [phone], ext. 221, E-mail: [email protected]