May 20, 2008 8:59 AM EDT
Portland, Oregon (Business Wire)
The Ventoro Institute, an independent think tank focused on labor and economic development, has been awarded the opportunity to provide Calgary Centre Member of Parliament, Lee Richardson (http://www.leerichardson.ca), with strategic counsel on improving the Province of Alberta's critical shortage of skilled labor.
The lack of qualified personnel in Alberta, Canada is reaching a critical point and has the potential to slow progress of such strategic investments as the development of Alberta's oil sands. The investment in Alberta oil sands is expected to exceed $20 billion CAD in 2008 and could significantly increase the Alberta's supply of crude oil to the global market.
Lee Richardson stated, "Every day, companies tell me they cannot find the skilled people they need to carry through the investments being made in our province. The shortage of skilled labor is adversely affecting all Albertans. I welcome the assistance of the Ventoro Institute in bringing their considerable economic development experience to bear on a solution to Alberta's labor shortage."
Although Alberta has one of the world's largest estimated reserves of energy resources, translating this potential into reality requires the availability of highly qualified people.
"Alberta is not unique in their skilled labor shortage," said Ventoro Institute Chief Executive Officer Phillip J. Hatch. "Ventoro was selected because of our ability to help organizations around the globe match labor to resources for measurable economic improvements. We look forward to the opportunity to work with Mr. Richardson and the Governments of Canada and Alberta in finding near and long term solutions to help companies and communities in Alberta meet their growth goals."
Ventoro's engagement will focus on aiding Alberta fill the labor shortages which the Conference Board of Canada has recently estimated will reach 350,000 workers by 2025. The company will advise Mr. Richardson on strategies to assist the development of a local skilled labor force and identify global resources that can immediately help Alberta firms mitigate the growing labor deficit. |
