Alberta builders represented in Premier’s Council on Skills
The council includes representatives from the Alberta Construction Association and the province’s trade unions.
Premier Jason Kenney visits Executive Millwork Inc. in Calgary. – Province of Alberta
Alberta construction sector advocates and trade unions will help guide the province’s approach to skills training with positions on a new council.
Premier Jason Kenney announced the Premier’s Council on Skills will have 11 industry stakeholders who will be tasked with helping the province better understand the challenges, opportunities and changing needs of Alberta’s workforce.
Officials explained that the council’s advice will be provided to the premier, through the minister of advanced education, to reinforce post-secondary programming and align Alberta with current and future industry demand.
Officials noted that as a key liaison between industry and government on skills development, the council will provide critical industry input to inform government policies. The new premier’s Council on Skills members include:
- Dennis Perrin, Alberta and Prairies director, Christian Labour Association of Canada – council chair
- Brent Allison, CEO, Long View Systems
- Glenn Feltham, interim city manager, City of Medicine Hat – council vice-chair
- Ken Gibson, executive director, Alberta Construction Association
- Ron Koslowsky, vice-president, Manitoba division, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
- Jason Krips, president and CEO, Alberta Forest Products Association
- Gurpreet Lail, president and CEO, Petroleum Services Association of Canada and principal of Lail Consulting
- Tara Lockyer, chief people, culture, brand and communications officer, ATB Financial
- Terry Parker, executive director, Building Trades Alberta
- Darren Reeder, president and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta
- Tom Snell, president and chair of the board of directors, Columbia College Calgary
“Our government is obsessed with attracting new investment to fuel our economy’s diversification,” said Kenney. “We need skilled workers to fill the high-wage jobs that are being created in record numbers in Alberta. This council will help us to rise to the challenge in developing and retaining these skilled workers.”
