Overview
The Premier’s Council on Skills will help facilitate input from select strategic industries and provide advice regarding the alignment of current and planned future programming in Alberta’s adult learning system with industry needs.
This work will help more students develop the job-ready skills they need to be successful in Alberta’s evolving economy.
The creation of a Premier’s Council on Skills fulfills a platform commitment and a recommendation of the Skills for Jobs Task Force.
Mandate
The council, comprised of 11 key industry stakeholders, will provide advice to the Premier, through the Minister of Advanced Education, to strengthen post-secondary programming and align Alberta with current and future industry demand.
The Terms of Reference for the Council provides information on the accountabilities and responsibilities of the Council.
Rules of conduct governing the professional and ethical responsibilities of council members is provided in the Code of Conduct for the Council.
Council members
Dennis Perrin, chair
Dennis Perrin is the Alberta and Prairies Director with the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) and also manages the union's activities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. He joined CLAC in 2004 as an Alberta representative in the Edmonton regional office. In 2008, he relocated to the Fort McMurray office where he represented CLAC members working in the oil sands industry. He is a former board member of the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies and Biology from The King's University.
Dr. Glenn Feltham, vice chair
Dr. Glenn Feltham is currently serving as Interim City Manager, City of Medicine Hat. Previously he was President and CEO of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) from 2011 to 2019 and also briefly served as Interim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Grande Prairie Regional College. He was the former Chair of Polytechnics Canada and former Chair of the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta. He holds a Ph.D. in Accounting from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Montana, a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen’s University Faculty of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta. He is also recognized as a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada.
Brent Allison
Brent Allison is the Chief Executive Officer of Long View Systems. He is ICD.D certified and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing & Finance from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a member of both the Special Olympics Alberta board and the Alberta Business Council. He served as chair of the Alberta Science & Technology Leadership Foundation, chair of TELUS Spark – the Science Centre, and a member of both TRTech and the Lift Auto Group.
Ken Gibson
Ken Gibson has been in the role of Executive Director of the Alberta Construction Association (ACA) since 2002. The ACA leads Alberta’s non-residential construction industry through government advocacy, industry standard practices, and promotion of a skilled workforce. Prior to this role, he served as Project Manger of Trade UP Alberta - Careers in Construction for approximately 14 years.
Ron Koslowsky
Ron Koslowsky has been the Vice President, Manitoba Division of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) since April 2007. Prior to that, he spent over 21 years at Palliser Furniture in a variety of roles including Vice President of Human Resources. He has extensive experience in manufacturing, construction, insurance and business consulting as well as serving on various boards, including 15 years on the CME board.
Jason Krips
Jason Krips is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer with the Alberta Forest Products Association. He has held many senior roles within the Alberta Public Service, including Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister, and Minister's Chief of Staff with several different ministries spanning over 20 years. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta
Gurpreet Lail
Gurpreet Lail is the President and Chief Executive Officer with Enserva and Principal of Lail Consulting. Her leadership career includes more than 20 years in policy accomplishments and government advocacy across Western Canada and at national levels from progressive roles at the Fraser Institute and the Manning Center; as Executive Director of Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS); and most recently as President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary.
Tara Lockyer
Tara Lockyer is the Chief People, Culture, Brand and Communications Officer with ATB Financial. Prior to joining ATB, Tara was the Head of Enterprise Business Engagement and Implementation for Global HR at CIBC and the Global Head of Talent, Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness for Manulife Financial. Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications from the University of Windsor, a diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier and a Certified Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.
Terry Parker
Terry Parker is the Executive Director of Building Trades Alberta. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Building Trades Council for 12 years. He worked as a Business Agent for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Manitoba.
Darren Reeder
Darren Reeder is the President and Chief Executive Officer with the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta and Principal of 2thePOINT Public Relations. He is the past Executive Director of the Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association, Executive Director of the Calgary Destination Marketing Fund & Calgary Hotel Association and Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
Dr. Tom Snell
Dr. Tom Snell is the President of Columbia College Calgary and Chair of the Board of Directors with Columbia College. He holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Gonzaga University, a Doctorate in Education/Higher Education from Nova Southeaster University, and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Lethbridge