Summit on Postsecondary Education and Skills Training


The Council of the Federation held a Summit on postsecondary education and skills training on February 23-24, 2006 to engage stakeholders from all provinces and territories and develop conclusions that will contribute to a Council of the Federation strategy on the matter. Stakeholders such as students, colleges, universities, business, labour, and provinces and territories discussed the key issues and challenges in postsecondary education and skills training.

The Summit was co-chaired by Premiers McGuinty and Charest, who also co-chaired a special meeting of provincial and territorial ministers responsible for postsecondary education, skills training and finance in October 2005.

Premiers believe that an investment in postsecondary education and skills today is an investment in jobs for tomorrow. It is an investment in our future prosperity. The Summit was successful in raising awareness of these important issues and challenges, and will help to plot the course for our education and skills training systems into the future.

Summit Agenda
Summit Discussion Guide
Keynote Address
List of Stakeholder Attendees

Background

Postsecondary education and skills training are important priorities for the Council of the Federation. Approximately 70% of the jobs created in the coming years will require a postsecondary education. This highlights the important link between economic, social and cultural development and high-quality education and training. Approaches to economic development must therefore be tied to effective strategies for education and training.

At the summer 2005 meeting of the Council of the Federation in Banff, Alberta, Premiers agreed that a sustainable and long term strategy for postsecondary education and skills development is critical to the future prosperity and competitiveness of the country. Premiers also recognize that this is more than an economic imperative, but a measure of our commitment to opportunity – it is the foundation of an engaged citizenry and a strong democracy. To this end, it was agreed that Premiers McGuinty and Charest would spearhead this initiative by hosting a special meeting of provincial and territorial ministers responsible for postsecondary education, skills training and finance (which was held in October 2005), as well as convene an historic national Summit of stakeholders on the matter in early 2006.

For more information, visit Competing for Tomorrow: A Postsecondary Education and Skills Summit