Conference Reports

Thank you to everyone who made our 2008 conference a success! A record number of delegates, speakers and exhibitors met in Victoria, B.C., from June 8 to 10 for the 2008 CAF-FCA Conference, Apprenticeship - Our Competitive Advantage.

Highlights of the event included welcoming remarks by the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, and the Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services for British Columbia;

Keynote speaker Bruce Kirkby; an informal "arm-chair" discussion about apprenticeship that was recorded for webcast later this year; special presentations by WorldSkills and the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship; and closing luncheon speaker Chief Harry Cook.

Over 2 1/2 days, almost 550 participants - including several international delegates - networked, toured a "sold-out" exhibit hall, and attended 25 plenary and breakout sessions featuring over 80 speakers. The 2008 delegation boasted representation from coast to coast to coast, and from all sectors of the apprenticeship community.

Please click here to view photos of the conference and access session presentations.

Our thanks also to our colleagues at the Aboriginal Human Resource Council, who joined us to co-host two sessions on June 10, paving the way for their National Aboriginal Trades Symposium on June 10 and 11.