The Department of Education is proceeding to the next stage in the development of a Comprehensive Education and Training Strategy for the province. The work is being carried out in partnership with the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, a federal/provincial agreement which designs and manages labour market development programs and services within the province.
"We are pleased to work together with the Department of Education to create opportunities for young people on Prince Edward Island," said George Proud, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough." This strategy will help to connect learning opportunities to designated economic development areas, increase access to meaningful jobs and help promote employment growth on Prince Edward Island."
The Comprehensive Education and Training Strategy will concentrate on higher education and skills training.
"When complete, this strategy will provide provincial and federal governments and the education system with a blueprint for connecting our knowledge infrastructure to designated areas of economic development," said Education Minister Jeffrey E. Lantz. "The strategy will also assist Islanders to prepare for the opportunities available in the ever-expanding knowledge-based economy. We must be assured that our educational priorities are in line with what is and what will be required in the marketplace."
An advisory committee has been established to oversee the development of the strategy. It will consist of 12 members and will be chaired by Simon Compton, a successful entrepreneur with strong Island roots. Mr. Compton left home at an early age bound for Toronto, where he eventually took interest in the expanding cable television industry. Upon his return to PEI in 1975, he and his business partners formed Island Cablevision. Mr. Compton has been involved in a variety of community and business organizations, including serving as Chair and Board member of Holland College and as a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Prince Edward Island.
"I am delighted that Simon Compton has agreed to chair the Advisory Committee and to lead this important initiative," said Minister Lantz. "His background, combined with the experience of all Committee members will help ensure that issues are well researched and the Comprehensive Education and Training Strategy is appropriate to the needs of Islanders."
Other members of the advisory committee are Elaine Noonan, Deputy Minister of Education; Leonard Cusack, Executive Council; Charlotte Murray, Industry Canada; Howard Sheppard, Aerospace and Technology Centre; Derek Gee, Human Resources Development Canada; Wade MacLauchlan, University of Prince Edward Island; Alex MacAulay, Holland College; Aubrey Cormier, Collège de l'Acadie; Dave Riley, East Prince Health; Susan Willis, Charlottetown Rural High School; and Shawn MacIsaac, MacIsaac Younker Roche Soloman. A team from HR Associates Inc. will conduct the necessary research and consultations.
Development of the strategy will include public consultations. Those consultations, consisting primarily of focus groups, are expected to take place in the fall.
"It is very important that we hear the opinions of people who have an interest in finding new ways to link education and training to new opportunities in our economy," said Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie. "What we are talking about here is an initiative that will eventually impact on the prosperity of the entire province."
The final report of the project team will be submitted to the Labour Market Development Agreement Management Committee by February 28, 2001.