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Linking Job Skills and Education in North America:

A North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC) Seminar

U.S. NAO Unofficial English Translation

Draft Agenda
(updated as of August 11, 2003)

This seminar is organized by the Mexican Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), the Council for Standardization and Certification of Labor Competencies (CONOCER), The Canadian Ministry of Human Resources Development, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Date

August 21-22, 2003

Location

Hotel NH Kristal Mexico City, Liverpool num. 155, Col. Juarez, Mexico D.F. C.P. 06600

Participants

Specialists and guests from Mexico representing STPS, CONOCER, the Technical Education Modernization and Training Project (PMETyC), business, labor, public and private institutions, officials from Canada and the United States, and the NAALC Secretariat.

Objectives

A technological exchange and cooperation on standardization, human resource management, job skill certification, and shared learning. Specific objectives include:

  • Identify innovative trends in education, training and human resources development.
  • Analyze strategies developed to satisfy the demand for qualified human resources in a time of current technological transformation, reorganization of human resource management, and open trade.
  • Contribute to the current debate/discussion on human resource development.
  • Analyze the job skills model as a way to raise workers’ qualifications and business’ competitiveness. References to the experiences in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
  • Exchange information on the regulatory and technical frameworks related to job skills certification in Mexico, Canada and the USA.
  • An analysis of the Standardization Market.

Format

The seminar will focus on education, training, and worker certification programs developed by the private and public sectors to meet the demand for qualified personnel in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Particular attention will focus on job placement services, labor market information systems, skills recognition, and the experience of management with a focus on job skills.

During the morning session presentations will take place on the theoretical/conceptual framework. During the afternoon, working group sessions will take place to discuss and analyze specific topics and experiences. The purpose of the working group sessions is to exchange information about best practices and methodologies, and explore possible collaborative efforts among the three countries in the future. Each working group will produce and present written conclusions.

Day 1

Time

  

8:00
9:00

Registration

9:00
9:05

Presentation
Rafael Lozano, CONOCER, México

9:05
9:20

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Fortino Garza Rodríguez, Executive Director of CONOCER, Mexico
Head of Delegation, Kevin Banks, Secretary, Canadian NAO
Head of Delegation, United States

9:20
9:30

Inauguration
Ing. Francisco Xavier Salazar Sáenz, Deputy Under Secretary of Social Welfare, Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), Mexico

9:30
10:00

Job Skills Model in Canada
Terry Ann Boyles, Vice President, Member Services and Public Policy, Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)François Duranleau, Assistant Director General, Employment Policy, Ministère de l’emploi, de la solidarité sociale et de la famille, Gouvernement de Québec

In this session, an expert will provide background information on the job skills model in Canada, discuss the institutional framework of the job skill program, along with implementation strategies, advances, success stories, and challenges with the model in Canada, and the outlook for the future. The objective of this session is to analyze the job skill model as a way to raise the skills/competency of workers as well as business competitiveness.

10:00
10:30

Job Skills Model in the United States
Pam Frugoli, U.S. DOL/Employment and Training Administration (ETA)/Office of Policy Development, Evaluation, and Research (OPDER)

In this session, an expert will provide background information on the job skills model in the United States, discuss the institutional framework of the job skill program, along with implementation strategies, advances, success stories, and challenges with the model in the United States, and the outlook for the future. The objective of this session is to analyze the job skill model as a way to raise the skills/competency of workers as well as business competitiveness.

10:30
11:00

Job Skills Model in Mexico
Fortino Garza Rodríguez, Executive Director of CONOCER, Mexico

In this session, an expert will provide background information on the job skills model in Mexico, discuss the institutional framework of the job skill program, implementation strategies, advances, success stories, and challenges with the model in Mexico, and the outlook for the future. The objective of this session is to analyze the job skill model as a strategy to raise the skills/competency of workers as well as business competitiveness.

11:00
11:30

Question and Answer Session

11:30
11:45

Break

11:45

Round Table Discussion: Education and Training Policies with a Focus on Job Skills, as well as those related to Strategies Developed to Satisfy the Demand for Qualified Human Resources

In this session, experts will provide a public and/or private sector perspective analyzing strategies developed in each country to satisfy the demands of qualified human resources in a time of current technological transformations, reorganization in human resource management, and open trade.

11:45
11:50

Moderator: Ing. Miguel Ángel Tamayo Taype, Coordinator of Administrative Affairs, Technical Education Modernization and Training Project (PMETyC), Mexico

11:50
12:20

U.S., Dr. Arnold Packer, SCANS 2000, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
U.S., Pam Frugoli, US DOL/ETA/OPDER or Diane Rath, Chair and Commissioner, Texas Workforce Commission

12:20
12:50

Canada, Phil Mondor, Vice-President and Director of Development, Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC)
Canada, Barbara Lawless, Director, Sector Partnerships, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC)

12:50
1:20

Mexico, Ing. Marco Polo Bernal, Under Secretary of Education and Technological Research, Mexico

1:20
1:30

Panel conclusions: Moderator

1:30
2:00

Question and Answer Session

2:00
3:30

Lunch

After lunch, and for the remainder of the seminar, the participants will be split up into three working groups: Standardization; Certification; and Education, Training, & Management. The agenda for each group is as follows:

Working Group 1: Standardization
Moderator: Jorge López Avilés

Time

  

3:30
4:15

Panel:
The Standardization Market
Mexico, José Gabriel López Garza, Standardization Coordinator
Canada, Barbara Lawless, Director, Sector Partnerships, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC);
Phil Mondor, Vice-President and Director of Development, Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC)
U.S., Dr. Homer M. Hayes, President, National Council of Workforce Education, American Association of Community Colleges

In this session, experts will define standardization and provide an analysis of the job skills standardization market. What authorities, organizations, and sectors benefit from standardization? Which sectors of economy are job skills being standardized? Which is the broader area (market) for job skills standardization in Canada, the US and Mexico?

4:15
4:45

Discussion Session

4:45
5:30

Panel:
Labor Market Skills in Demand: Electric Sector (Mexico)
Automotive Sector (United States)
Tourism Sector (Canada)
Mexico, Dr. Marcial Maciel, Federal Electricity Commission (CFE)
U.S., Dr. Patricia Lundquist, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence(ASE)
Canada, Phil Mondor, Vice-President and Director of Development, Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC)

In this session, experts will discuss labor market skills in demand in a particular sector.

5:30
6:00

Discussion Session

6:00
7:00

Drafting of Day 1 Conclusions
(Drafting team only)

Working Group 2: Certification
Moderator: Rafael González

Time

  

3:30
4:15

Panel:
Quality Certification Assurance
Mexico, Amós Salinas
U.S., Donald Dew, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Canada, François Duranleau, Assistant General Director, Employment Policies, Ministère de l’emploi, de la solidarité sociale et de la famille, Gouvernement de Québec

In this session, experts will analyze elements designed to maintain quality job skill certification; discuss factors necessary for validity and reliability that are applicable in various contexts to guarantee that activities in evaluation processes, and internal and external verification and certification meet quality standards at all times. Establishing quality criterion for each stage of the processes will also be discussed.

4:15
4:45

Discussion Session

4:45
5:30

Panel:
Successful Factors for Job Skills Certification and Innovative Job Skill Certification Programs

This session will consist of an exchange of successful and innovative practices implemented in the three countries to address job skills certification. Experts will focus on some of the following issues:

  • Identify a variety of factors, both internal and external, that are involved in accepting job skills certification processes by all parties involved, including guidelines and regulations (if any).
  • Exchange information on innovative programs for job skill certification and identify similarities and differences.

U.S., Dr. Arnold Packer, SCANS 2000 Center (Secretary’s Commission on Necessary Skills)

U.S., Donald Dew, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)

5:30
6:00

Discussion Session

6:00
7:00

Drafting of Day 1 Conclusions
(Drafting team only)

Working Group 3: Education, Training, & Management
Moderator: Professor Miguel Ceja

Time

  

3:30
4:15

Panel:
Professional and Vocational Orientation/Job Placement Services
US, Branka Minic, Manpower USA
Canada, Caroline Fairbrother, Manager, Community and Business Services, Calgary Region, Alberta Human Resources and Employment
Mexico, Cecilia Galán, Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS)

In this session, experts will identify job placement services associated with job skills, and placement services not associated with job skills, the experiences and ways in which these services operate.

4:15
4:45

Discussion Session

4:45
5:30

Panel:
Curriculum Content Available with Skills Needed in a Time of Organizational Changes

Mexico, Technological Universities
Canada, Terry Ann Boyles, Vice President, Member Services and Public Policy, Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
U.S., Diane Rath, Chair and Commissioner, Texas Workforce Commission
U.S., Dr. Homer M. Hayes, President, National Council of Workforce Education, American Association of Community Colleges

Identify how education and training institutions (public/private) are answering to the need for qualified workers in the context of transformations of the productive processes and human resources development.

5:30
6:00

Discussion Session

6:00
7:00

Drafting of Day 1 Conclusions
(Drafting team only)

Day 2

Working Group 1: Standardization

Time

  

9:00
9:45

Panel:
Policy Makers/Experts Involved in Standardization
Mexico, Jorge Jaime Mendoza, CONOCER
Canada, Phil Mondor, Vice-President and Director of Development, Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC)
Canada, Barbara Lawless, Director, Sector Partnerships, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC)
U.S., To Be Confirmed, Dr. Homer M. Hayes, President, National Council of Workforce Education, American Association of Community Colleges

In this session, experts will provide a description and an analysis of public and private organizations (educational, business and labor) that work in the field of standardization of job skills. Who is responsible for standardization in each country?

9:45
10:15

Discussion Session

10:15
10:30

Break

10:30
11:15

Panel:
Job Skills Regulations in Mexico, Canada and US, commonalities and differences.

Mexico, Mtra. Irene Livas

In this session, experts from the three countries will provide an analysis of the rules/regulations/laws regarding job skills and will identify commonalities and differences.

11:15
11:45

Discussion Session

11:45
12:45

Drafting of Day 2 Conclusions
(Drafting team only)

Working Group 2: Certification

Time

  

9:00
9:45

Panel: cont.
Successful Factors for Job Skills Certification and Innovative Job Skill Certification Programs

U.S., Diane Rath, Chair and Commissioner, Texas Workforce Commission
Canada, François Duranleau, Assistant General Director, Employment Policies, Ministère de l’emploi, de la solidarité sociale et de la famille, Gouvernement de Québec

In this session, experts will provide a description and an analysis of public and private organizations (educational, business and labor) that work in the field of standardization of job skills. Who is responsible for standardization in each country?

9:45
10:15

Discussion Session

10:15
10:30

Break

10:30
11:15

Panel: cont.
Successful Factors for Job Skills Certification and Innovative Job Skill Certification Programs

Mexico, Gerardo Larriba, Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) / CONOCER
Mexico, Speakers, Bureau of Accreditation, Incorporation and Reassessment/ A Certifying Agency, Ministry of Public Education

In this session, experts from the three countries will provide an analysis of the rules/regulations/laws regarding job skills and will identify commonalities and differences.

11:15
11:45

Discussion Session/Wrap up -
Participants will discuss similarities and differences between the countries based on information shared over Day 1 and Day 2.

11:45
12:45

Drafting of Day 2 Conclusions
(Drafting team only)

Working Group 3: Education, Training, & Management

Time

  

9:00
9:45

Panel:
Transferability of Knowledge and Skills Obtained from Training Strategies Developed in Different Economic Sectors
Mexico, Leo Mertens
U.S., Pam Frugoli, US DOL/ETA/OPDER and Branka Minic, Manpower USA
Canada, Caroline Fairbrother, Manager, Community and Business Services, Calgary Region, Alberta Human Resources and Employment

In this session, experts will discuss the transferability of skills in different sectors and economic areas.

9:45
10:15

Discussion Session

10:15
10:30

Break

10:30
11:15

Panel:
Human Resource Development in Companies: Developing Avenues for Learning

Canada, Terry Ann Boyles, Vice President, Member Services and Public Policy, Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)

U.S., Dr. Arnold Packer, SCANS 2000, Johns Hopkins University

Mexico, Palacio de Hierro

In this session, experts will provide an analysis of worker training and knowledge obtained through the implementation of a human resource management system with a focus on job skills.

11:15
11:45

Discussion Session

11:45
12:45

Drafting of Day 2 Conclusions
(Drafting team only)

From this point on, the agenda is the same for every participant.

Time

  

12:45
1:00

Break

1:00
1:15

Working Group 1: Presentation of Conclusions

1:15
1:30

Working Group 2: Presentation of Conclusions

1:30
1:45

Working Group 3: Presentation of Conclusions

1:45
2:15

General Conclusions/Recommendations

2:15

Closing Ceremony