Location: Sheraton on the Falls, 3rd Floor Great Room (Registration is now closed for this event.)
Hear global perspectives from industry, government, education and youth on the future of education and training.
07:30 Networking Breakfast and Registration
08:30 Opening Remarks
08:35 Welcome Address
08:55 Introduction of Keynote speaker
09:00 Keynote address, Pavel Luksha, Moscow School of Management
09:40 Panel discussion
David Zdrojewski, Fixturlaser, Boyd Parsons, Air Canada, and Chuck Wood, Volvo Construction Equipment
10:15 Short Q&A
10:25 Health Break
10:45 Introduction of Keynote speaker
10:50 Keynote address, Lori Foster, North Carolina State University
11:25 Panel discussion
John Gaal, STL-KC Carpenters Regional Council, Trina Vitolianos, Shawcor, a member of CEPA Foundation, and Matthew Bell, Global Strategic Partnership Manager of Autodesk
12:05 Short Q&A
12:15 Lunch
13:15 Introduction of Keynote speaker
13:20 Keynote address, Kayleen McCabe, McCabe Foundation
14:00 Health Break
14:10 Panel discussion
Taylo Schou, WSCT Representative for Africa, Gary Condon, WSCT Representative for Asia, and Rachel Chua, WSCT Representative for Oceania and South East Asia
14:45 Short Q&A
14:55 Discussion and Summary
Sarah Watts-Rynard, Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
15:30 Global Networking Café sponsored by Canada’s Building Trades Unions
Sarah Watts-Rynard - Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
Sarah Watts-Rynard has been Executive Director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum since October 2010. Her career features government, private sector and non-profit experience, largely focusing on operational and communications roles. Today, she oversees a team working to develop and deliver initiatives in support of Canada’s apprenticeship community. This work includes promoting skilled trades careers, undertaking research to inform evidence-based apprenticeship policy and practice, and connecting stakeholders through events designed to share best practices.
David Zdrojewski - CEO, VibrAlign
David found VibrAlign, Inc. in 1983 and now serves as the company’s CEO. He has been involved in machinery reliability and alignment for over 35 years. VibrAlign has been providing shaft alignment training since inception and has developed unique “hands on” teaching method for alignment training. Mr. Zdrojewski has developed and delivered training content for years. Even with his management duties, he finds time to regularly teach alignment and vibration courses. He is the author of many articles on the subject of machinery alignment and co-author of “The Alignment Field Guide” which was published in 2016.
Boyd Parsons – General Manager, Excellence, Air Canada
Boyd Parsons is the General Manager, Excellence, at Air Canada Maintenance and Engineering, where he currently leads the branch in strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the operations culture and performance, learning and development. With more than 23 years of industry experience, Boyd is a leader in promoting ownership and pride and focusing on core competencies that build optimal customer experiences. Boyd has lead a multi skilled workforce in multiple disciplinary functions including international aircraft line maintenance; line maintenance within Eastern Canada and Atlantic Canada; was Person Responsible for Training in and Transport Canada Approved Training Organization with additional leadership in stores and logistics.
Dr. John S. Gaal, MCCTE, CEA
Dr. Gaal is the Director of Training and Workforce Development for the St. Louis-Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council. As a labor representative, he currently serves on the Missouri Workforce Development Board, International Vocational Education and Training Association’s Board of Directors, Association of Skilled and Technical Sciences (President), International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ Committee on Training & Education, National Skills Coalition’s Leadership Council, and US-DOL’s ApprenticeshipUSA LEADERs. Within the past decade, he completed terms of service on the US DOL’s Federal Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, the SkillsUSA’s Board of Directors, and the Association for Career and Technical Education’s Board of Directors. He completed post-doctoral programs at Harvard University and the University of Florida and has published numerous international workforce development articles. Dr. Gaal has been awarded two Fulbright (Specialist) Scholarships in Labor and Industrial Relations (Japan: 2010 and Canada: 2015) and just began his 21st year as an adjunct professor at Webster University.
Charles H. Wood, Jr. (Chuck), Vice President Human Resource Management and Administration, Volvo Construction Equipment
Prior to Volvo, Chuck was Corporate Controller for the Rank Organization Plc. in Atlanta, GA. Prior to Rank, Chuck worked as a CPA for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (currently KPMG) in Atlanta.
Chuck has a BBA in Accounting and MAcc in Accountancy from the University of Georgia and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a member of the American Institute of CPA’s and GA & NC Associations of CPA’s.
Trina Vitolianos, Regional Manager, Canada at Shawcor Canusa-CPS
Trina Vitolianos is the Regional Manager, Canada at Shawcor Canusa-CPS. In Canada, Canusa-CPS focuses on delivering field applied pipeline coating solutions to project owners and contractors. With 11 years of experience in oil and gas and pipeline coatings, Trina has worked with industry leaders in pipe coating solutions at a national level. Throughout the years, she has focused on developing the best of interpersonal, leadership and teamwork skills to grow their team.
Matthew Bell, Global Strategic Partnership Manager of Autodesk
Having studied a Modern Engineering Apprenticeship after leaving school Matt soon found a passion for Design Engineering and specifically CAD. Matt was soon supporting young Designers through teaching the use of CAD tools at a local College and he moved into education on a full time basis. In 2006 Matt was appointed as the UK WorldSkills Expert for Mechanical Engineering Design and has subsequently trained UK competitors to international success through WorldSkills events in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 in addition to EuroSkills gold in 2010. In 2011 Matt joined Autodesk as UK Secondary Education Manager and in 2014 was appointed as Global Partnerships Manager responsible for Autodesk Education Partnerships, focusing on STEM education through activities such as F1 in Schools, VEX Robotics and WorldSkills. Recently Matt has led a range of global projects with these partnerships, including inspiring social impact design activities in India, Brazil & South Africa.
TAYLA SCHOU, SOUTH AFRICA, WSCT REPRESENTATIVE FOR AFRICA
Cooking, WorldSkills São Paulo 2015
Tayla’s passion for cooking developed as a child, reading the recipes for her dad who is partially-blind. As she helped to prepare the family’s meals, she experienced the many ways food brought people to together. Tayla professionalized her cooking skills by attending The Fusion Cooking School. During her time at of her professional training Tayla was asked to compete in the WorldSkills South Africa national competition in Cooking. She trained every day after school and on Sundays for months leading up to the Competition, where she earned a gold medal and position on Team South Africa for WorldSkills São Paulo 2015.
Upon returning from São Paulo Tayla has been working as a lecturer at her cooking school. She is also training hard for the Culinary Olympics in Germany later this year.
Now as a representative on the WorldSkills Champions Trust, Tayla is determined to share with other Africans the benefits she has received through the WorldSkills community. “I firmly believe that through the power of artisanal and vocational skills, I can help Africa grow, as well as help to change the world,” said Tayla.
GARY CONDON, IRELAND, WSCT REPRESENTATIVE FOR ASIA
Plastering and Drywall Systems, WorldSkills London 2011, Gold Medal
When Gary heard about the opportunity to compete in a local IrelandSkills competition, in Plastering and Drywall Systems, he took a chance and participated. Applying the principles he learnt from his father, Gary committed to mastering his skills. This in turn earned him a series of gold medals, and eventually a position on Team Ireland at WorldSkills London 2011. The focus and commitment Gary applied to his professional development, resulted in the top of the podium in his home country, but also at WorldSkills London 2011.
When he returned to Ireland, Gary’s talents would result in him being presented with an opportunity that would change his life. Saint-Gobain contacted him with a job opportunity in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Saint-Gobain is known for their support of developing skilled talent as a WorldSkills Global Industry Partner and the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of construction products. This made the decision to move to a new country an easy one for Gary, and four years later he continues to work with Saint-Gobain as the Senior Systems Demonstrator.
Now as a representative on the WorldSkills Champions Trust, Gary is excited to connect with Champions from around the world, and spread the word about WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017.
RACHEL CHUA, SINGAPORE, WSCT REPRESENTATIVE FOR OCEANIA AND SOUTH EAST ASIA
Caring, WorldSkills London 2011, Gold Medal
When Rachel Chua of Singapore choose her career path, she knew that she did not want a desk job, but wanted to learn a practical skill that could make a difference in the lives of the people around her. Nursing became the obvious choice.
As she honed her skills in nursing the patients that she had hoped to help, taught her endless lessons. “Their resiliency, tenacity, and the will to fight their disease, inspires me to want to be a better health care professional, to provide them with the best care possible,” said Rachel. “They always remind me that there is so much to be thankful for and that I must count my blessings daily.”
Rachel earned a position on Team Singapore for WorldSkills London 2011, where she received a gold medal in Caring with teammate Kaiyan Jaslyn Li. “While WorldSkills was an amazing experience that gave me opportunities I would never have had; it gave me more than that. It taught me about life. How to say yes to challenges,” said Rachel.
Now as a representative for Asia on the WorldSkills Champions Trust, Rachel works to advance the WorldSkills movement, ensuring others benefit from the opportunities available to them when they pursue their calling, just like she did
At this exclusive, one-day event, you will:
Session includes breakfast, lunch and breaks. There is also a networking session with WorldSkills leaders from 16:00 – 17:30.
Don’t miss your unique opportunity to actively participate in this international event.
The cost is $250 (USD).