AUPE stays at head of class in evaluation of Alberta education system

Posted March 30, 2005 in Education and tagged with conference, education

Edmonton – More than 100 AUPE members, representatives of other labour organizations, faculty associations and student groups are expected to attend the Fourth Annual AUPE Education Sector Conference at the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis, May 8-10.

The theme of the 2005 conference, said AUPE Union Representative Steve Nimchuk, is Partnerships in our Public System: Progress or Problem?

“This is AUPE’s fourth annual Education Sector Conference,” said Nimchuk, who is responsible for organizing the event.

“One of the questions we will focus on at this conference will be ‘Are industry, government, labour and the post-secondary education system collaborating efficiently?’”

Other topics of interest that will come under the microscope at the conference include:

• Finding more predictable funding for post-secondary education.
• What is the role of industry in developing skilled labour?
• Is Alberta’s post-secondary education system serving the needs of our booming economy?
• What sectors of Alberta’s economy most needs highly trained workers?
• How are other provinces and their post-secondary systems collaborating?
• Is Alberta’s apprenticeship system working?

Participants in the conference, which will commence at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, will hear first from Alberta Advanced Education Minister Davis Hancock, the featured after-dinner speaker.

Participants will also have the opportunity during the conference to hear numerous other speakers, including:

• Dr. Sam Shaw, President of NAIT and the Alberta Business Person of the Year
• Bob Blakely, Director of Canadian Affairs, Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO
• Erika Shaker, Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Education Project
• Dr. Wayne Shillington, President of NorQuest College
• Bill Persley, President of Portage College
• Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd, Executive Director of Athabasca University External Affairs Department
• Don Hill, broadcaster and author
• Dave Taylor, Liberal MLA and Opposition Advanced Education Critic
• Dr. Raj Pannu, New Democrat MLA and NDP Advanced Education Critic

Conference sessions will take place on Monday, May 9, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Tuesday, May 10, running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday evening, conference participants will experience a change of pace with a dinner-theatre performance by the Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie comedy troupe.

“AUPE would like to encourage other organizations and individuals who are involved in or concerned about the delivery of post-secondary education in Alberta to attend this conference,” Nimchuk said.

Costs are $469.23 per person single and $326.50 per person double, accommodation and meals included.

To register, please contact:

Conference Registrar
Renee Shaw
780-930-3404
1-800-232-7284 (press 1) toll-free in Alberta
r.shaw@aupe.org

AUPE’s Education sector represents more than 6,000 support employees in the following 17 institutions:

• Alberta College of Art and Design
• Athabasca University
• Bow Valley College
• Edmonton Catholic Separate School District
• Fairview College
• Lakeland College
• Lethbridge Community College
• Living Waters Catholic School Division No. 42
• Medicine Hat College
• NorQuest College
• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
• Northern Lakes College
• Olds College
• Portage College
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
• University of Calgary
• University of Lethbridge