may 2009 issue
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PD Spotlight
Conference Focuses on High-interest Topics
BY Nancy Toth, MA CHRP
Manager, Human Resources
& Professional Development
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ECONOMY OF WORDS |
Today’s spotlight is on the economy, the environment, technology and cultural diversity. Professional development seminars at the 2009 APEGGA Annual Conference, last month, focused on these four high-profile topics, although registrants could also choose from a variety of soft-skills seminars.
The state of the economy was addressed by Glen Hodgson of the Conference Board of Canada, who spoke at the Executive Track. Angus Watt, an investment adviser with National Bank Financial, presented as well, at one of our PD luncheons.
Both experts were optimistic about the Canadian economy. Mr. Hodgson sees recovery and transformation around the corner. Mr. Watt used the analogy of a forest fire to suggest that economic downturn is an inevitable process.
Fluctuations in home sales and prices, as well as revenues in specific industries, were used by both speakers to assess economic health. Mr. Hodgson provided numerous graphs related to GDP, national deficits and employment rates.
The environment was the focus of a two-day stream on green energy. Fourteen presenters from industry, government and academia covered topics from the future of motor vehicles to coal gasification and the potential of nuclear energy.
Don Dea, our first luncheon speaker, spoke about the pace of technological change. The increase in personal use of technology since 2000 and the increased growth of digital information set the stage for a list of new technologies.
With 1.3 billion people online today, new technologies have tremendous power. Given the proliferation of new online technologies, Mr. Dea posed a question common since the advent of television: there are many forms of communication, but what about content?
The optimization of cultural diversity has been of interest since immigration of foreign-trained professionals spiked a few years ago. Dr. Lionel Laroche, P.Eng., author of two books on the subject, was the second Executive Track presenter.
Dr. Laroche emphasized the cultural component of workplace activities, such as giving feedback and direction. On charts and graphs, he presented a continuum to demonstrate cultural variance — a professional’s dream of specificity and practicality!
To see some of these presentations, please visit www.apegga.org.
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