Canadian delegation studies skills training in Europe

Jason Kenney, Canada’s Minister of Employment and Social Development, executives from the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) and representatives from unions, business associations, post-secondary education and non-profit organizations, have returned from a successful six-day trip to Germany and the U.K.

“This visit provided a great opportunity for Canadians to learn from our European friends about how they have made careers in the skilled trades appealing to young people and how they are training increasing numbers of skilled workers,” said Sean Reid, PCA’s vice-president, Federal and Ontario.

In Germany, the group’s activities included:

• A meeting with Baden Wuerttemberg Employers’ Association of the Metal and Electrical Industry
• A visit to Baden Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University
• A visit to the Siemens Training Centre to learn about the company’s training programs
• Meetings with government officials, including Sylvia Löhrmann, deputy premier and minister of Schools and Education, State of Nordrhein Westfalen, Georg Schütte, state secretary minister of Education and Research, and officials from the Ministry of Labour, Integration and Social Affairs
• A roundtable with stakeholders including Dr. Jörg Dräger, executive board member of Bertelsmann Stiftung, and members of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

In the United Kingdom, the group’s activities included:

• A visit to the British Airport Authority Academy
• A visit to the College of Northwest London
• A meeting with Doug Richard, entrepreneur, educator, founder of the School for Startups, and author of a Richard Review (a recent review of the national apprenticeship system)
• A roundtable with stakeholders.