Minister of Advanced Education & Skills Training Melanie Mark poses with delegates at the Summer Labour Market Conference in Vancouver.
I'm reporting to you today from the Summer Labour Market Conference in Vancouver. Starting yesterday, the conference brings together job developers, case managers, resource room managers, career counselors, and a good mix of employment professionals from all over the province. It has been an excellent experience and kudos to Christian St. Cyr for putting together an engaging and inspiring program.
One of the most inspiring speakers thus far has been Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training, Honorable Melanie Mark. She spoke last year and had the room crying as she shared her lived experience about those who supported her along the way to finish high school and university; becoming the first in her family to do so. This year she again shared her passion for the work she is undertaking in the Ministry. She referred to the 2018 Labour Market Outlook, which has been referred to several times during this conference. (I encourage you to read it if you haven't already.) The Minister touched on issues of privilege and education and what her Ministry is doing to overcome barriers. Possibly later today there will be an announcement from her Ministry regarding additional supports for apprenticeship training.
Later this morning, I'll be participating in a panel discussion about the future development of the Career Development sector. On behalf of ASPECT members, I'm on the National Stakeholder Advisory Committee for Supporting Canadians to Navigate Learning and Work. We are hosting a career development consultation to provide discussion and feedback about defining career development for the future of work during the ASPECT Conference this year. If you are interested in finding out more about the Supporting Canadians to Navigate Learning and Work project, replying to the survey, or providing feedback on the definition that is being tweaked, please go to their website.
As I write this, the conference isn't quite over but each session is more informative than the last. ASPECT is proud to be a supporter and looks forward to the ongoing collaboration with the Labour Market Report.
Janet Morris-Reade
