News (February 01, 2003)

CANADA INCREASES COMMITMENT TO SKILLED TRADE CAREERS

The Government of Canada has announced funding of $12 million for the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF) and Skills/Comptences Canada (S/CC) to develop and promote career options in the skilled trades.

“The Government of Canada is committed to working with partners in the apprenticeship community to advance the goal … to double the number of Canadians completing apprenticeship programs within a 10-year period,” said Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

This project is a partnership between HRDC, CAF and S/CC. It is one of the major initiatives put in place to support the government’s Innovation and Learning Strategy for Canadians, which addresses the national challenge of ensuring Canadians possess the skills and knowledge required to fully participate in the knowledge-based economy.

CAF and S/CC are two not-for-profit organizations that bring together key stakeholders in the apprenticeship community to promote the development of apprenticeship across Canada.

“We need to dismantle common misconceptions and prejudices that can prevent young Canadians from considering careers in skilled trades and technologies,” said Steve Goodwin, executive director of S/CC. “Once we’ve provided our youth with the opportunities, and the tools to capitalize on those opportunities, there is no limit to what we can achieve individually and as a nation.

To attract more young people with mathematical, scientific and technical aptitudes into the skilled trades, the campaign will strive to change the perception of skilled trades and technologies careers in the minds of Canadian youth, their parents and other key influencers. The improved image and increased profile of skilled trades are expected to help address the issue of skills shortages, by encouraging more young people to consider careers in this segment of the labour market.

The campaign will also encourage employers to accept and retrain more apprentices, so that they are better able to complete their studies.

The number of registered apprentices in Canada has remained relatively flat for the past decade. In 1998, the total number was 177,741, compared to 192,946 in 1991.

Similarly, apprenticeship completion rates have also remained relatively stagnant. In 2000, the number of apprentices who completed their training was 18,249, compared to 19,724 in 1991.

The government wants to double the number of apprentices completing certification over the next decade to 37,000.

IDI UNVEILS NEW LOGO, MOTTO, AND MORE

IDI Independent Distributors Inc., Toronto, Ont., has introduced a new logo and motto designed to provide national recognition to the group within the North American marketplace.

The new motto, “Canada’s Largest Industrial Distribution Network,” emphasizes the extensive coverage the IDI group of companies provides to Canadian industry, said IDI executive director Don Knowles.

IDI also has joined three associations, the Canadian Fluid Power Association, the Industrial Distribution Association and the Power Transmission Distributors Association. IDI’s goal in joining these groups, said Knowles, is to “strengthen vendor relationships as well as seek out new product opportunities for the IDI distribution centre.”

IDI recently added products from Akro-Mils Canada and North Safety Products to its list of Distribution Centre vendors. The IDI DC, as it is commonly referred to, acts as a master distributor to IDI members.

PTDA PLANS SPECIAL CANADIAN CONFERENCE

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) has planned a conference that will focus solely on issues its Canadian members.

The Chicago-based PTDA’s annual Canadian Conference will be held on May 22-24, 2003, at the White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. “The main objective of this event will be to provide a forum to explore how Canadian-based distribution can differentiate itself,” says PTDA executive vice-president Mary Sue Lyon.

“It’s important for specific concerns of the Canadian PT/MC businesses to be addressed,” says Don Latham, vice-president of Canadian Bearings Ltd. of Mississauga, Ont., and first vice-president of the PTDA board of directors. “This event provides an opportunity to network efficiently and devise solutions to our common problems. We need a smaller group setting in order to obtain Canadian end-user input for our members.”

This year’s theme, “Canada Eh!” focuses on completely Canadian-centric programming. For details, visit www.ptda.org or call 312-876-9461.

AWARD AVAILABLE FOR LEADERS IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES

As tribute to the finest people in the electrical industry, Electro-Federation Canada, a Toronto-based trade association, presents an annual Industry Recognition Award. Nominations for the 2003 award are open until March 31, 2003.

EFC members are asked to nominate a current or past member of the Canadian electrical, electronic or telecommunication industry who has demonstrated strategic vision, distinguished service and outstanding leadership in the development or advancement of the industry.

Past Industry Recognition Award winners include Jeannine Guillevin Wood, Guillevin International Inc. (2002); Bill Torrance, Rockwell Automation Canada Inc. (2001); George Horsman, EB Horsman & Son (2000); and Jim Sinneave, EECOL Electric Ltd. (2000). This inclusive award is not restricted to EFC members but encompasses the whole industry. The award will be presented at a 2003 Electro-Federation Canada event.

Nomination forms, due March 31, can be obtained from Corinne Fitzsimmons at 905-602-8877 ext. 219, e-mail cfitzsimmons@electrofed.com.

SHOULD LESS-SKILLED WORKERS STAY WITH CURRENT WORK?

Less skilled workers could substantially improve their prospect of earnings by staying at their jobs for certain periods of time, according to a new study.

These workers could update their skills by acquiring more education. But if that is not feasible, the second best thing for them to do is to accumulate specific knowledge of the firm, as well as experience, the study found.

This study, based on data for 1993 to 1998 from Statistics Canada’s Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics, investigates the wage growth mechanism of young, less skilled workers. It compares the payoffs, or returns, to two employment strategies: jumping between jobs every year as opposed to staying on a job for a number of years.

The former strategy only increases experience, while the latter increases employment tenure and work experience at the same time.

The study found that knowledge of a firm acquired by less skilled workers may substitute for their lower education. As a result, less skilled workers may be substantially better off by staying on their jobs instead of changing frequently.

WORKPLACE SAFETY STUDENT VIDEO CONTEST PLANNED

The Second Annual Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board Student Video Awards Contest has a deadline of March 28, 2003. High school students from Ontario are invited to submit a wide variety of program styles, in either French or English, on the theme, “Work Smart, Work Safe.” Documentaries, dramas, commercials, news reports, music videos and animations all are acceptable formats.

Winners are selected based upon the following criteria: creativity, technical standards, performance, information conveyed, and overall quality of delivery. Prizes are $1,000, $750 and $500.

Contest details can be downloaded from http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/PreventionStudentVideoContest. For further information, telephone 1-800-663-6639.MRO

REED EXHIBITIONS ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBIT SCHEDULE

To better reflect market conditions and buying cycles, Reed Exhibitions Canada, Toronto, has made some changes to the scheduling of its industrial trade evens.

“Industry research and feedback from show
exhibitors and attendees made it clear that shifts in the scheduling of several of our events were required to better meet the needs of the industry,” says John Lewinski, president of Reed Exhibitions.

The Canadian Fabricating & Stamping Machinery Show (CFSM), Weld Expo Canada, and Finishing Expo Canada, which were held recently at the National Trade Centre in Toronto, will be repositioned to run alongside other events.

CFSM will be integrated into The Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show 2003 (CMTS), as part of an expanded metal forming section. It will also feature a new Measurement Technology section. “We feel strongly that the concept of bringing all facets of metalworking under one roof every two years is best for the market and the industry,” says Lewinski.

Beginning in 2004, Weld Expo Canada and Finishing Expo Canada will be held with Canadian Manufacturing Week at the International Centre, in Mississauga, Ont. “The co-location of these events at the same facility will create Canada’s most comprehensive manufacturing event,” says Lewinski.

The London Industrial Technology Show previously scheduled for 2003 has been postponed. The Southwestern Ontario marketplace was served this year by the Southwestern Ontario Industrial Show will take place again in Kitchener in 2004.

Research is also currently being conducted to determine an optimal date and location to hold the next Atlantic Industrial Exhibition (AIE), which had been alternating annually between Halifax, N.S., and Moncton, N.B. The 2003 Moncton show has been postponed

Other shows retain their existing schedules. For a complete schedule, visit www.reedexpo.ca.

FORD’S PLANT TO USE FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING FOR NEW ENGINE

Ford of Canada’s largest engine plants soon will begin full-scale production of a new 5.4-litre Triton V-8 engine that will power the next-generation 2004 Ford F-150 pickup introduced in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich.

The milestone will mark the culmination of a massive, three-year expansion program and investment of nearly $770 million.

“Windsor is the largest centre of engine production in Ford’s global operations,” said Chris Bolen, plant manager at Ford’s Windsor Engine Plant.

“The installation of flexible manufacturing at Windsor Engine Plant is the first in what will be a global rollout of new and innovative manufacturing techniques at Ford engine facilities throughout the world,” said Graham Harris, Ford of Canada’s launch manager for the new engine.

OBITUARY: JOHN DIXON CAMPBELL

John Dixon Campbell, 56, global leader of the Physical Asset Management Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting in Toronto, died at his farm in Orangeville, Ont., on Nov. 11, 2002.

Cattleman, consultant, artist, athlete, winemaker — Mr. Campbell lived and loved large. He was born in Sydney, N.S., and attended the University of Toronto where he graduated in 1970 in Metallurgical Engineering and Material Science.

After graduation, he worked for INCO in Thompson, Man., and at Carborundum in Niagara Falls, Ont., before joining Coopers and Lybrand of Toronto in 1980. This firm became PwC Consulting, where he, as partner, developed a highly successful international practice in maintenance management. He was awarded the coveted Excaliber Award by the International Manufacturing Practice for his leading work in this field.

Mr. Campbell had an eloquent pen and authored the successful book Uptime, published in 1995. He also had contributed articles on maintenance management in the late 1980s for Machinery & Equipment MRO, as well as being helpful in guiding the magazine’s editorial content after its launch in 1985.

Not only did he lead a global practice in maintenance management and publish extensively, he also gave of himself willingly to speak at conferences and spearhead the creation of an annual Canadian maintenance conference. In addition, he initiated a Certificate Program in Physical Asset Management at his alma mater, the University of Toronto.

Mr. Campbell was perhaps most himself at his farm, where he and his wife developed a line of championship Herefords. He was an avid skier and sailor and loved the outdoors.