The second annual Minister's Forum on Adult Learning, which took place in Edmonton on November 21st and 22nd at the West Edmonton Mall Conference Centre, had quite a different focus than the first one (see AACE Newsletter, March, 1996). Instead of the broad purpose of receiving input from key stakeholders in a newly conceptualized 'adult learning system', this second event focused on getting feedback on the Department's 1996-99 Business Plan and its proposed Human Resource Strategy for the province. The entire Forum was spent analyzing three specific human resource initiatives targeted at youths' school-to-work transition, adults facing significant employment barriers, and expanding the apprenticeship training system. Paul Little and Faye Wiesenberg represented AACE again at this years' Forum.

The format of the Forum was similar to that of last year; each of the approximately 400 participants were assigned to a small group for in-depth structured discussions of each of five draft documents. The Business Plan and Human Resource Strategy documents were overviewed by the Minister and Deputy Minister. After the central 'People and Prosperity: a human resource strategy for Alberta' document, and prior to breaking into small groups, a four person panel offered quite different viewpoints on this plan. The panel members were: Graham Lowe (sociologist from the University of Alberta who spoke to the need to consider the broader socioeconomic context of the strategy, school-work transition issues, and still unaddressed barriers), David Elton (leader of the Canada West Foundation, who spoke to the challenge of motivating the 10% unemployed reluctant to join the workforce), Christine Couture (Director of Edmonton's Youth Employment Service, who spoke about the particular employability issues facing today's youth), and Bill Croft (head of the Calgary Research and Development Authority, who spoke to the need for attracting skilled employees from outside of the province as well as developing those within). Participants then headed into small groups to discuss the proposed strategy and give feedback from their representative organization's/agency's point of view.

The four questions that framed all small group discussion were basically the same as last year's: 1. what are the strengths/weaknesses of this proposal, 2. what alternative/additional principles or strategies would you suggest, 3. what role can you play in the implementation of the strategy, and 4. what additional advice do you have for the Minister? In addition to representing the AACE membership in the discussion on the Business Plan and the Human Resource Strategy, Paul and Faye both participated in the 'Adult Development Reform Initiative' (ADRI) small group discussions. The ADRI is a collaborative effort to establish a framework for the delivery of learning programs and services for Albertans who need to improve their basic skills in order to prepare for employment or to enter post-secondary programs for further training. Paul will give an overview and critique of this document in the March '97 AACE Newsletter.

Overall this year's Forum was about how to implement broad policy changes consolidated after last year's Forum. As such, discussions and recommendations focused on 'how to's and 'who should's. There are many opportunities in these new initiatives for AACE members who develop and deliver programs in a wide variety of settings to become involved. The March '9 7 issue of the AACE Newsletter will elaborate on some of these, as well as outline the specific feedback given to the Minister by participants. For copies of the documents distributed at this Forum, contact Michele Kirshner (Acting Director of the Learner Issues Branch, Advanced Education and Career Development) by phone: 403-427-8501, or fax: 403-422-0880.

AACE NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

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