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wHflMY MRE PUES% WEDNESDAY, JUI'Y 4, 1M9, PAGE 17 1 b Serious short age of skilled labor On Wednesday, May 30, the Durham Region Action Committee for Training (DRACT) held its fourth annual general meeting at Cullen (kirdens. As part of the program, awards were presented to, this year's Durham SkIils Challenge goïd medal winners. The large group ct high achool students represented Durbam at the recent Ontario Sklls competition. SI keeping with the AGM's theme, 'Profit Through Training ' keynote speakoer, Mie William%' manager of Ontario Hydro's Eastern Nuclear Training Department, discussed the importance of àakIll training for both Durham and bis own company. Speaking to, the àakIlls hortage now just begi te become very epaen, stressed. "Acknowledlging the problems of the Me90s essential. We know tbat there is a serious shortage of slled labor. The training and re.tmrinng of our employeesabas go te, be a part of that cballenge. "Start planning now," lie advised. -Dont wait until its too late. (Business) growth wil exceed tihe labor market by 1996V He also noted that a recent en survey carried out by the Minstry. of Skills Developmlent resulted in the Samne conclusions as Hydros own aFit~y per cent of the engineers we bire nert year wiIl be grad level," lie said. "We bave te be prepared te train grads, women in non-traditianal trades, and even retirees. «Unfotunately, the need te commit to training in Durham bas not been widely accepted," le noted, adding that 60 r cent of business responded C msying they felt no need te train. Rtesos given range fr-om "rm gong te bure experienced staff' te "Can't afford te train,"0 and "MI train, people will leave once Williams made it clear that business in the '90s "can't afford not te train." Thffe scarcity of èIkilled workers is already affecting some industries "Employers offering traininig will be thie employers of choice in the He stressed the need for a dloser* involvement between educators and employers. "College students need information as te what lu out there," le said. "Tell the schools what your necds are." DRACT wiil spend $1.5-million this year in training -- ail paid by the governinent. It will offer 78 courses, 32 of wbich are new this year, and tender out 70 to 80 courses. Seventy-five te, 80 per cent of DRACT's students wil be employed workers who wil receive this valuabe training because their employers paid a $50 membership fee. Last year, DRACT aiso trained 206 unemployed trainees. Chairman Steve Relly pointed out that Durham was fortuate te, have what he cails the ' Durbam Network! Interested groupa corne together whenever training is needed," he said, "and that -la uncommnon. Human resource planning relationships are excellent i this area." Ini the election of officers that folowed, DRACT welcomed five new directors;, one was Ontario Hydros Mike WiUiams. Anyone wishing to learn more about DRACT and the training courses offered can cail the office at 430-8511. ar ino ea uu tu Exclusive FABULOUS ~1 WEDDING CREATIONS EVINQUALITY SILK GOWNS Hand Beaded Bridai Gowns Bridai Accessories Custom Tailoring to ail Gowns Mother of Bride and Groomn Fashions Classic Evening Wear Affrordable Prices A~~~~i miaeEdsvl Durham "RegsOflai 41J DudatSL E.UAZ.Whîy Fur AppOlww aum'MCa (416) 430-8985 z: YOU CsI SAL 'h -~ f Help Sprecd The Word: LITERÀ%CY] OCIS. -LU, q*