NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Sept. 13, 2016 /CNW/ – Skills/Compétences Canada and SkillsUSA are co-hosting the 2016 WorldSkills General Assembly (GA) in Niagara Falls, Canada, on October 2nd to 6th. This landmark event marks the first time the GA has been held in Canada, and the first time two countries have co-hosted the event. This international gathering of approximately 75 nations serves as the global platform for meetings around skilled trades and technologies. Over 300 participants will engage in strategic planning with the goal of improving the world through the advancement of skill development.
The convening will discuss trends, make decisions for the future of skills training and hear from experts on future skills. They will have an opportunity to interact with youth at the Champions Forum and be a part of ratifying a vision for WorldSkills 2025. Together, these workforce development experts will work to address the global skills gap and find common solutions to a challenge faced by every nation: helping young people to find meaningful career paths and appropriate training for jobs that must be filled. Events include the WorldSkills Leaders Forum*, the Strategy Committee Meeting, the Technical Committee Meeting and the WorldSkills Champions Forum.
“Skills/Compétences Canada is extremely excited to be working in cooperation with SkillsUSA to bring together participants from across the globe to the 2016 WorldSkills General Assembly. The Assembly itself will provide the opportunity for dialogue and the sharing of best practices between industry leaders. This important event represents an opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools to close the skills gap,” saidShaun Thorson, CEO of Skills/Compétences Canada.
“Niagara Falls will offer delegates a world class meeting venue, as well as an opportunity to tap into top industry, education and government leaders and experts from across North America. This event is more than a conference or convention – it is a workforce development and economic development event where the focus is the world’s future highly skilled technical workforce” added Timothy Lawrence, the executive director of SkillsUSA.
The inspirational backdrop for the event is beautiful Niagara Falls, a true North American natural wonder.
*About the WorldSkills Leader’s Forum:
This event is occuring on Tuesday, October 4th at the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, in Great Rooms B and C, from 8:30 to 3:45. Media are invited to attend this one-day event. Confirmed speakers include:
- Pavel Luksha, Founder RF Group and a professional at the Moscow School of Management and an expert on innovation, strategic entrepreneurship, evolutionary economics and social cybernetics.
- Dr. Lori Foster Thompson, a professor of industrial-organizational psychology at NC State University. She is a behavioral sciences advisor to the United Nations and a White House fellow working with the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team.
- Kayleen McCabe, a DIY Network television host, renovation specialist and spokesperson for the skilled trades.
Media participants will also be invited to the networking café, which will be held at the end of the day’s agenda and is sponsored by Canada’s Building Trades Unions. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and interact with the keynote speakers and panelists. Please confirm your attendance at the WorldSkills Leader’s Forum with Michèle Rogerson at micheler@skillscanada.com. Media passes and additional information will be supplied upon your arrival at registration, location will be indicated by onsite signage.
About Skills/Compétences 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 trade 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 and aspiring apprentices discover rewarding careers. Skills/Compétences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trade and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trade awareness programs. Many programs highlight essential skills, which are crucial qualifications in most careers of today. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For information about Skills/Compétences Canada visit: www.skillscanada.com.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 300,000 students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trades, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state and national championships, designed and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide recognition to students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For more information, visit:www.SkillsUSA.org.
SOURCE Skills/Compétences Canada
Image with caption: “Pavel Luksha, Founder RF Group and a professional at the Moscow School of Management and an expert on innovation, strategic entrepreneurship, evolutionary economics and social cybernetics. (CNW Group/Skills/Compétences Canada)”. Image available at:http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160912_C6491_PHOTO_EN_771135.jpg
Image with caption: “Dr. Lori Foster Thompson, a professor of industrial-organizational psychology at NC State University. She is a behavioral sciences advisor to the United Nations and a White House fellow working with the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team. (CNW Group/Skills/Compétences Canada)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160912_C6491_PHOTO_EN_771131.jpg
Image with caption: “Kayleen McCabe, a DIY Network television host, renovation specialist and spokesperson for the skilled trades. (CNW Group/Skills/Compétences Canada)”. Image available at:http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160912_C6491_PHOTO_EN_771133.jpg 
For further information: Mike Pitre or Michèle Rogerson, Skills/Compétences Canada, 613-784-9996, mikep@skillscanada.com, 613-266-4771, micheler@skillscanada.com; Jane Short or Karen Kitzel, SkillsUSA, 703-737-0612, jshort@skillsusa.org, 703-737-0607, kkitzel@skillsusa.org
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http://www.skillscanada.com
