Community Colleges to play key role in recovering from the recession

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, delivers his keynote speech at the Association of Canadian Community Colleges Annual Conference held in Charlottetown recetnly. Photo: Al MacLeod

By Taunya Murchison Charlottetown, PE Canadian community colleges will play an important role during and after the global recession Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, told delegates at the Association of Canadian Community Colleges annual conference hosted by Holland College in Charlottetown recently.

When addressing the approximately 600 delegates, Georgetti stressed how the economic crisis will force more Canadians to enrol in community colleges to further their skills or to specialize in trades.

"Today, as they (those in the labour work force) lose their jobs and fear for their future and their families future, they're most likely returning to school to weather out the recession or improve their skills," said Georgetti, whose contributions to labour and community have earned him the Order of Canada and the Order of B.C.

The worst is yet to come, warned Georgetti, but surviving the after-affect of the economy is possible, with the collaboration of business owners and educational institutions.

"How will we rebuild after this economic duress passes? A new economic vision for our country is in order, we think. This crisis gives us the chance to make profound changes in the way things are done," he said.

In the 25-year period before the crisis, information from Statistics Canada indicates that wages of the middle working class only increased by two cents, a fact that Georgetti contends, illustrates the expression "the working poor".

The time is ripe for Canada to come together and focus on fixing the nation after the recession, he said.

"Employers must invest in the skills of their workers even more now. We need to focus on the role of education, but I don't think we have the luxury of time," Georgetti said.

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