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oo Specmllzed training doesn‘t guarantee jobs Bill Laidlaw _ (Continued from page 8) doesn‘t have it," said Anstey. However, labor panelists and local educators offered a different story. "High technology, new technology and product profitability is no guarantee of jobs," said Bellefeuille. Halton Board of Education instrucâ€" tional services superintendent Graeme Barrett said, "If we were to meet the skill requirements of business for stuâ€" dents that they would hire, there‘s no guarantee that no matter what we do, there‘d be jobs for people." Barrett said it‘s a question of sociâ€" ety‘s ability to absorb students. He noted that at the turn of the century 85% of society was geared to agriculture, turnâ€" ing out food to feed the North American population once. Today, only 3% is geared to agriculture, turning out twice the amount of food to feed the North American population. "Students could leave school and be absorbed. They can‘t do that anymore. There‘s no guarantee of a job," he said. Baird was also quick to note that while the drop out rate may be in the range of 30% today, it was closer to 70% in 1955756 with only 30% of 18â€" yearâ€"olds still in school. That improved to 52% of 18â€"yearâ€"olds remaining in school in 1965766 and 61.4% in school in 1975/76. Today (1989/90) some 75.3% of 18â€"yearâ€"olds are still in school. Baird noted the government will also be looking at a common curriculum for Grades 1 to 9 focusing on four main areas: language (writing), math and sciâ€" ence, self and society (social studies) and arts (dance to music and art). "We still have, in Ontario, one of the best education system‘s in the world. I believe that is the perception and fact. Teachers are dedicated, hardworking professionals and Ontario, despite its problems still has one of the qualities of life in the world," said Bill Laidlaw, Ontario Chamber of Commerce educaâ€" tion committee volunteer. Laidlaw, a former teacher, said sociâ€" ety and family values are changing draâ€" matically. "In the 70s, things were changing and it was a challenge just to keep discipline in the classroom. Teachers now are facing challenges that would be mindâ€"boggling for me," he said. In those days there was always the assumption that after finishing or leavâ€" ing school, students would "go out and find a job." Laidlaw noted major companies today are putting out the same or more in productivity with half the labor force. He noted a tour of a Japan steel plant found one hardâ€"pressed to find an employee, as machinery sang along doing the work. Laidlaw noted that future workers will need interpersonal and teamwork skills to get and hold a job. He said it‘s critically important to have standardized testing in education and a focus more on results than process. "Business has to work more cooperâ€" atively with government. Confrontation is fine in its place but cooperation is needed," said Laidlaw. There was a lot of support for apprenticeship programs (Canadian skilled workers are hard to come by) although one participant noted the whole structure of apprenticeship proâ€" â€" govermnment is very concemed people regain : confidence in | the public : education system." Keith Baird grams needs to change so students won‘t spend five years in a program, only to graduate and find their newly acquired skills are outdated with rapid technologâ€" ical change. Tom McCormack, chairman of the Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC), said his group determined that Ontario is losing its relative competitiveâ€" ness but didn‘t define "with whom." "‘Education is not the only tool to use to be competitive," said Bellefeuille, noting that without enough jobs to go around, a serious look must be given to reducing the work week or work life and sharing work. Baird revealed that in an upcoming provincial Throne Speech, a royal comâ€" mission on education will be struck to look at, not the abolition of the Halton Roman Catholic School Board, but perâ€" haps a complete restructuring. ‘"The government is very concerned people regain confidence in the public education system," said Baird. Local educators (Halton public and separate school boards, Sheridan College and HAPITAC (Halton and Peel Industries Training Advisory . Committee) were included in the discusâ€" sions as chamber members, chamber education committee organizers and facilitators although no one representing local education was on the panel. "E Wood Room UNFINISHED FURNITURE/WOODEN TOYS Specializing in Solid Oak, Pine, Maple, Birch * TABLES CHAIRS * JELLY CUPBOARDS * MIRRORS PANTRIES * CHINA CABINETS * ROCKING CHAIRS 484 PLAINS RD. E. 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