Media Alert - The Honourable Diane Finley, Skills/Compétences Canada and Mike
Holmes launch Skilled Trades and Technology Week 2009 at the grand opening of
Humber College's new Centre for Trades & Technology

TORONTO , Oct. 28 /CNW/ - Keynote speakers the Honourable Diane Finley , Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Mike Holmes , Canada's most trusted contractor and Host of 'Holmes Inspection', will help officially launch Skilled Trades and Technology Week 2009 at the grand opening of Humber's new Centre for Trades & Technology. Hosted by Skills/Compétences Canada , Skilled Trades and Technology Week ( November 2 - 8, 2009) is an annual celebration that promotes and raises awareness of Skilled Trade and Technology careers in Canada .

Humber's 95,000 square foot centre offers students in skilled trade programs the opportunity to train in a state-of-the-art industry setting. The centre includes two full-sized townhomes and dedicated labs for construction, home renovation, plumbing, welding, electrical, woodworking and building systems.

    
    Event:          Official launch of Skilled Trades and Technology Week
                    2009 and opening of Humber's Centre for Trades &
                    Technology

    Location:       Humber College, Centre for Trades & Technology
                    110 Carrier Drive, Toronto, ON
    http://mapquest.com/maps?city=Toronto&state=on&address=110+Carrier+Drive

    Date/Time:      Monday, November 2, 2009
                    10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
                    10:35 a.m. - Ribbon-cutting, followed by tours of the
                    facility.
                    Note to Media: Interviews and Photo opportunities can be
                    arranged in advance. Media are asked to RSVP attendance
                    by Oct. 30/09.

    Interview and
    Photo Ops:      -  John Davies, President, Humber College
                    -  The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human
                       Resources and Skills Development
                    -  Terry Cooke, President, Skills Canada
                    -  Shaun Thorson, Executive Director, Skills Canada
                    -  Mike Holmes, Canada's Most Trusted Contractor, host,
                       Holmes Inspection(TM)
                    -  Tony Fanelli, Board Director, Construction Sector
                       Council
                    -  Jarek Wawrow, Skills Canada Gold Medalist in Cabinet
                       Making and Humber faculty
                    -  Jonathan Arbour, Skills Canada, WorldSkills Gold
                       Medalist in Cabinet Making
    

About Humber

Humber, a member of Polytechnics Canada , is committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning. Humber's broad range of career-focused, educational programs include: apprenticeship, certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees and postgraduate certificates. With more than 350 programs from which to choose, the 20,000 full-time and 55,000 part-time students of Humber have access to many opportunities for continuous learning. Building from one credential to another, either at Humber or through transfer credit opportunities with more than 50 Canadian and international universities, students have multiple pathways to success. Humber maintains strong partnerships with industry, and trains more than 15,000 people annually through customized corporate training. Visit www.humber.ca.

About Skills/Competences Canada

Skills/Compétences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada's future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. Skills/Compétences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades awareness programs. Headquartered in Gatineau, Quebec , Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information visit www.skillscanada.com or call 877-754-5226.

For further information: and to confirm attendance, please contact: Andrew Leopold, Ilena Aldini-Messina, Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, [phone] ext. 4296, 5479, [email protected], [email protected], Andrew cell: [phone], Ilena cell: [phone]