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http://www.newsatniagara.com Nov. 25, 2005 Volume 36, Issue 5 International Week Pages 10 and 11 Knights basketball Page 20 The Best Way To Connect With Niagara Shifting workforce At Tu Tu Tango, jugglers need three to tango on college’s radar By ROBIN HEALEY Staff Writer “Canada is seeing a seismic shift in its workforce, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is as profound a change as any we have experienced since the Industrial Revolution,” declared Niagara College President Dan Patterson. He made the remarks in a speech delivered to a breakfast gathering of college staff, regional business leaders and political figures in the dining room of Niagara College’s Culinary Institute at the Glendale campus, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Nov. 10. Chris Bentley, Ontario minister of Training, Col- leges and Universities, and Len Crispino, president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, were featured speakers. They each spoke about the Pathways to Prosperity project that seeks to prepare Canada’s workforce for the challenges of the 21st century by building a national skills strategy, which would be similar to initiatives already underway in Great Britain and New Zealand. Crispino said Ontario needs “a third pillar in the education sector,” in the guise of a formal trades apprenticeship system, to stand beside the province’s universities and colleges. He stated that some of the money for the trades apprenticeship program should come from federal transfer payments. According to Crispino, Ontario is the only province without a labour market development agreement in place with the federal government. He said it was a “travesty” that no federal-provincial training agree- ment exists, calling the practice “risky.” Crispino broke with the morning’s polite tone when he admonished members of the federal government in Musicians, magicians, jugglers, belly dancers, live artists and tarot card readers are usually found at a circus, attendance, most notably Liberal St. Catharines MP but at Café Tu Tu Tango they are the weekly entertainment. Kobbler Jay, real name Jason Henderson, start- Walt Lastewka, for the failure of the two governments ed performing at the restaurant in June. Jay says his career as a juggler started about five years ago when to reach an agreement. His suggestion that they read he dressed up as a clown for Halloween. He made balloon figures and juggled. phase two of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce See the Dec. 9 edition of news@niagara for the full story. report Fairness in Confederation, Fiscal Imbalance: A Roadmap to Recovery, released on Nov. 9, garnered Photo by Lesley Kerr laughs and strained mumblings from the audience. “I think Crispino is out to lunch,” responded Lastewka, after the speeches. He said that the federal government has proposed nine agreements and that Ontario must choose one. Poinsettias on sale at Greenhouse Inside “Pick an agreement, and let’s get this deal done.” Just before he left, Lastewka shouted over his shoul- By SHERI WEBBER Staff Writer Pages 10 and 11 – der, “I don’t back down from any issue.” International Week Bentley reported that 70 per cent of future jobs in More than 20 varieties of poinsettias are avail- Ontario would require skills training or post- able at the Niagara College Greenhouse in Niagara- secondary education while only 50 per cent of poten- on-the-Lake. Page 14 – Body Worlds 2 tial workers were undertaking the necessary training. Burgandy Cortez, Mable Star, Jingle Bells, Red He noted that the 20 per cent gap was “bad for future Angel, Prestige, Nutcracker Red, Peppermint prosperity.” and Winterfest Red are among them. Page 15 – Artist Profile Patterson explained that Canada faces three “loom- The six-inch pots are on sale for $5.29 each, 10- ing” economic challenges: the rise of India and China inch pots are $16.99 each and mumsettias are as economic powers, rapid changes in technology that $9.95 each. Page 17 –The Reel Deal would demand newly trained workers while rendering Also available is a large variety of Christmas Movie Reviews the skills of today’s workers obsolete, and the need to dish gardens. The greenhouse is open daily from 9 replace the country’s aging workforce. a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact the greenhouse at 905-735-2211 ext. Crispino warned that 52 per cent of skilled trades Page 19 – Living With 4082, if you need further information, or visit workers would retire within 15 years and that Ontario Diabetes could be faced with a “shortage” in the trades. http://www.niagaracollegegreenhouse.com. Continued on page 2 Page 2, news@niagara, Nov. 25, 2005 Get cash for your used textbooks By CHERIE BORHO Staff Writer The Niagara College Campus Store is having its annual Cash for Books event running from Dec. 5 to Dec. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Cash for Books allows students to sell their text- books back to the store and get a 50 per cent refund, if the book is being used the following semester. If it isn’t, it could still be bought back if the warehouse is stocking them. However, the amount may be less than Chris Bentley, Ontario minister of training, colleges and universities, at left, is with 50 per cent and will depend Niagara College President Dan Patterson at a breakfast gathering on Nov. 10. on the book. Photo by Robin Healey If the textbook isn’t to be used the following semester and the warehouse isn’t stocking them, the store is Bonnie Etling, sales associate at the Welland Campus Niagara ‘very well placed’ unable to buy the book back. Store, shows off three of the many books the store “We have a lot of money wants to buy back. Photo by Cherie Borho Continued from page 1 When asked if he would In the round-table discus- to give away,” says Welland The province is committed agree to the terms in the sion following the speeches, Campus Book Store Manag- “It’s wonderful, and I Associate Bonnie Etling, of to registering 20,000 new CSA petition, Bentley the majority of attendees er Agnes Hodgson, of St. want as many used books on Port Colborne. apprentices every year by grimaced, then praised the announced that Ontario must Catharines. the shelves [as possible],” To get the most funds 2008, according to Bentley. CSA for its “good advice.” do more to raise the profile The store will pay cash says Hodgson. “And why for your book, ask your On the subject of colleges However, he did not venture of trades and encourage for your books. not buy them from our stu- professor to use the same and universities, Bentley an answer beyond “no apprenticeship programs For your books to be eli- dents? It gives them extra textbook again next said, “We are determined to decision yet.” early in high school. gible, they must be in good money to spend now at semester so that your book achieve two things: provid- Ontario Minister of Patterson said that the rec- condition and have no graf- Christmas time. We need the will be worth more. Then ing access to post-secondary Tourism Jim Bradley, Liberal ommendations and ideas put fiti, but highlighting is OK. used books on the shelves you need to be at the right education and maintaining St. Catharines MPP, forth at this and other You must white out your for January and that reduces place at the right time. The quality.” commended the college for community consultations in name if it’s written in the the cost that the students best time to sell your In an attempt to ensure specializing in specific areas, Ontario would be gathered text and bring back any have to pay out in January.” books is finals week, after access, the College Student such as tourism and comput- into a report and submitted to supplemental materials, “I think it’s a great way your exams are over. This Association (CSA) created a ers, as a way of staying at the Premier Dalton McGuinty such as any CDs or work- for kids to stretch their way, you have already sold petition that asked the “forefront” of new initiatives. and Prime Minister Paul books that may have come money and get a gently your book before the store minister to restrict tuition He noted that by creating the Martin, who will review it with the textbook. used book,” says Sales has a chance to overstock. increases in the 2006-07 Culinary Institute, Niagara before the next first minister’s school year to the rate of College has trained students meeting to be held in Kelow- inflation, as measured by to become “key players” in na, B.C., Nov. 24 to 25. Ontario’s Consumer Price the tourism industry. Patterson mentioned that Furniture Index. Ontario college He remarked that the college the meeting would focus on students across the province is “very well placed” to meet skills training and UNITED Warehouse® have signed the petition. Ontario’s skilled trades initiative. post-secondary education. NO Insta-rent CREDIT Announcements RENT-TO-OWN REFUSED Construction at Welland campus Construction has officially started. A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday for the new $2-million, 10,500-square- foot addition to the Technology Skills Centre at Niagara College’s Welland campus. CANADA’S LARGEST • FURNITURE Welland Mayor Damian Goulbourne, a former college professor, was among those who SELECTION OF • APPLIANCES attended the groundbreaking ceremony. The addition is expected to enhance the facility and allow for the consolidation of all RENT-TO-OWN • COMPUTERS engineering technology programs at the Welland campus.