Students and faculty at Orillia’s Lakehead University welcomed local and national speakers into their school on Friday to learn more about our ever changing economic world and they fit into it.
Among the special guests was Dr Warren Jestin, the chief economist for Scotia Bank.
Jestin says the conference was first and foremost to highlight the value of education. He said universities like Lakehead are offering essential learning to the upcoming work force and feels those graduates are the link to prosperity 5 to 10 years down the line.
Dr Jestin warns that unlike years ago most students graduating now will have several careers in their lifetime and will have to be adaptable, and more focused on skills and higher learning as they will soon be dealing with a highly competitive global market.
Jestin emphasises that we need to ensure existing industries thrive and make sure that new business from outside the country see Ontario, and the local market here in Orillia, as a place they would like to locate.
On a local level Jestin says the government and the existing local business community needs to work together to develop a strategy to attract prospective employers.
