The council, comprised of 11 key industry stakeholders, will help Alberta’s government better understand the challenges, opportunities and changing needs of Alberta’s workforce. Advice will be provided to the Premier, through the Minister of Advanced Education, to strengthen post-secondary programming and align Alberta with current and future industry demand.
“Our government is obsessed with attracting new investment to fuel our economy’s diversification. We need skilled workers to fill the high-wage jobs that are being created in record numbers in Alberta. This council will help us to rise to the challenge in developing and retaining these skilled workers.”
“The council members are trailblazers in our province, and I know that they will bring a unique point of view that will help ensure Albertans learn the skills they need to succeed now and in the future. This council strengthens the cooperation between our post-secondary system and industry, and will help keep Alberta students – and our economy – on the right path forward."
"I am honoured to be a member of the Premier's Council on Skills. The important work done by this body will help ensure the fulfilment of current and future skill needs in our province while providing high-paying employment opportunities to Albertans. The council is a bold and wise move by the government that will help align the skills required for our economy with the educational structures necessary to achieve them.”
Creating a Premier’s Council on Skills fulfills a platform commitment and a recommendation of the Skills for Jobs Task Force.
As a key liaison between industry and government on skills development, the council will provide critical industry input to inform government policies. The new Premier’s Council on Skills members include:
- Dennis Perrin, Alberta and Prairies director, Christian Labour Association of Canada – council chair
- Brent Allison, CEO, Long View Systems
- Glenn Feltham, interim city manager, City of Medicine Hat – council vice-chair
- Ken Gibson, executive director, Alberta Construction Association
- Ron Koslowsky, vice-president, Manitoba division, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
- Jason Krips, president and CEO, Alberta Forest Products Association
- Gurpreet Lail, president and CEO, Petroleum Services Association of Canada and principal of Lail Consulting
- Tara Lockyer, chief people, culture, brand and communications officer, ATB Financial
- Terry Parker, executive director, Building Trades Alberta
- Darren Reeder, president and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta
- Tom Snell, president and chair of the board of directors, Columbia College Calgary
Biographies of all members are available on the Premier’s Council on Skills website.
The Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs strategy is a transformational vision and direction for Alberta’s higher education system that will develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, strengthen innovation and commercialization of research and forge stronger relationships between employers and post-secondary institutions.
