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Enriching our future: True Growth Post-Secondary Task Force to examine future needs of region’s students, employers
Irving Oil contributes funding to project to examine potential opportunities for increasing the number of skilled workers and enhancing training programs
Saint John, NB – The True Growth Post-Secondary Task Force will develop a strategic plan for post-secondary education and research to determine the needs of both students and employers in the Saint John region.
The initiative, entitled Enriching our future: A strategic plan for post-secondary education, research and development, and technology commercialization will be coordinated by New Brunswick-based Amulet Consulting and Growth Strategies Inc.
They will be guided by a North American panel of experts and will present the final report in the spring.
The recommendations from this initiative will enable the Saint John region to provide valuable input into the New Brunswick Commission on Post-Secondary Education, said task force chair Andrew Oland.
“Education is key to growth in both Saint John and New Brunswick and I believe our two processes are complimentary of each other,” said Oland, of the provincial commission which was launched last week by Post-Secondary, Training and Labour Minister Ed Doherty.
“We must strive to shape our post-secondary education institutions into centres of excellence that attract researchers, students and respect from not just within New Brunswick but from outside the province too.”
Irving Oil is contributing $50,000 towards the $150,000 budgeted for the strategic plan.
“Since announcing our intention to explore the possibility of building a second refinery in Saint John, we have been consulting with many people across a number of sectors to discuss how the community and our company should be getting ready,” said Tanya Chapman, Senior Manager of Organizational Development with Irving Oil.
“This project would employ thousands of people and create a number of economic spin-offs, and we want to ensure we are sharing the benefits with the broader community, over the long term.
“Our support of the post-secondary education strategic plan will not only help further develop a talent pool for the Energy Hub,” said Chapman, “it will also support the ongoing development of social networks, infrastructure and community support required for long-term sustainability.”
During its mandate, the task force will:
- Conduct an inventory of existing public and private sector post-secondary education infrastructure and capabilities;
- Assess and prioritize emerging growth sectors, niche markets, and information and communications technology sector clusters;
- Explore the expansion of heritage and cultural education and training opportunities; and,
- Create a plan to brand Saint John as a world-class centre of excellence in key sectors.
The panel of experts guiding the project includes: Dr. Martha Piper, former president of the University of British Columbia; Colin MacLean, vice-president, Nova Scotia Community College; Lon Dubinsky, research associate, Kamloops Art Gallery; Dr. John Gilbert, professor emeritus, College of Health Disciplines, University of British Columbia; Colleen Taylor Sen, senior advisor, Gas Technology Institute; Geoffrey Cann, partner, Deloitte (Calgary); and, Jim Bezanson, Heritage Development Officer, City of Saint John.
Speaking on behalf of the five regional mayors, Saint John Mayor Norm McFarlane applauded the task force’s agenda and thanked Irving Oil for its contribution.
“It is an exciting time for this region and I am pleased to see community leaders such as the Post-Secondary Task Force and Irving Oil step forward to ensure we have a world-class education system to meet the needs of our community,” said McFarlane.
“It is wonderful that the task force will examine all aspects of post-secondary education, including arts and culture, an important element in ensuring we have a vibrant city for those who live here and for those who are moving in to take advantage of a growing number of economic opportunities,” added McFarlane.
The True Growth Post-Secondary Task Force members are: Andrew Oland, Andrew Beckett, Belinda Allen, Beth Kelly-Hatt, Jim Woods, Chris Kantor, Jeff White, John Johnson, Michelle Hooton, Pat Darrah, Peter Buckland, Peter McGill, Robert MacKinnon, Ron Oldfield, Ross Jefferson, Sandra Irving, Steve Carson, Tanya Chapman and Tim Curry.
Media Inquiries:
Steve Carson
Enterprise Saint John
(506) 658-2995
Jennifer Parker
Irving Oil
(506) 202-2992
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