Nearly one in five Canadian university graduates end up at the lower end of the income scale

Ryerson University event to discuss solutions for underemployed Canadians

TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Post-secondary education is important for many jobs in the economy today. Yet one in five university graduates in Canada makes less than $18,501 per year. On Thursday, October 25, the issue of mal-employment in the Canadian workforce will be the topic of discussion at an event hosted by Ryerson University's G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. "Partnering for Prosperity: A Discussion on Economic Enhancement" will feature distinguished visiting scholar Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, who will present consultation findings on the underemployment of youth, individuals with disabilities, and new Canadians.

"Canada has one of the highest education workforces in the world, yet for many, those skills go unused," said Dr. Bountrogianni. "We must close the huge gap between employee skills and business needs by engaging employers, employees, students, academia and government in the conversation to find solutions."

Mal-employment is based on the concept of over-education - the education of the worker exceeds the education and skill required to do that job.

Participating panellists include Naomi Alboim, a fellow and adjunct professor at the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University, an active public policy consultant, and a leading expert in Immigration policy in Canada; David Lepofsky, an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, an expert on constitutional and human rights topics and a leading advocate for disability issues and rights; and Carol Wilding, the Toronto Board of Trade's president and chief executive officer and a thought leader on business and public policy issues. The keynote speaker is acclaimed economist and best-selling author Jeff Rubin.

"Addressing mal-employment in our economy has reached a crucial phase," said Dr. Gervan Fearon, Dean of the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University. "That is why our school is taking a leadership role on this issue and hosting an event that will gather some of the top thinkers and researchers on this topic, with industry leaders and other stakeholders, to have a meaningful conversation and map out real solutions."

Ryerson University's G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education
With approximately 70,000 annual enrollments, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. There are over 1500 courses, workshops and seminars and 91 career-related certificate programs and numerous course series in which 23 certificate programs can be completed entirely at a distance. The school's mission is to be a leader in innovative, quality, lifelong learning that empowers adults to reach their life and career goals.

Media are welcome to attend, but are asked to RSVP.

WHEN:	Thursday, October 25, 2012 (9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
WHERE:	297 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W1, 7th Floor

SOURCE: Ryerson University's The Chang School

To RSVP or for more information, please contact BlueSky Communications - Julie McCarthy, [phone], [email protected] or Tara Bolger, [phone], [email protected].