For many boomers, autumn has an ingrained association with school. Decades after each of us heeded the call to a new school year, we’re still programmed to think of September as “back to school” month.

This year, as proof that nothing is carved in stone and everything can be improved upon, Alberta broke with tradition and changed its start-school date from its usual post-Labour Day pattern to embrace the future. August 27, 2009, the media was blasting its “the first day of school” message to warn drivers kids were back in class.

In a province with a $7-billion deficit, this dramatic shift in citizens’ lives -- for a change -- was not the result of cut-backs but of forward thinking.

“The rapidly-changing economic market that today’s students will enter is seeing increased demand for workers in skilled trades and high-tech professions and Alberta must be prepared now and for the future,” according to Alberta Education Minister Dave Hancock.

The start of the school year was shuffled around to accommodate cross-province student participation in and attendance at the 40th WorldSkills competition.

From Austria and Estonia to Venezuela and Thailand, participants came from 51 countries around the world to compete in Calgary from September 1 to 7 at the “Olympics of Skills”—The 40th WorldSkills competition. Skilled specialists, considered the best in their homeland, did not clash in sports games, but in tests of talent and professionalism in fields from Transportation & Logistics, where aircraft maintenance and autobody repair were in the limelight, to Arts & Fashion and Social & Personal Services where fashion technology and hairdressing, respectively, are featured trades. Construction & Building Technology trades were well represented by 18 to 22 year-old specialists in bricklaying, refrigeration, plumbing and 11 other disciplines. Here’s more detail on competing countries, trade competitions and final standings!

WorldSkills is an international not-for-profit association, open to national vocational education and training agencies from around the world. Every two years, an international competition shines the spotlight on traditional trade and craft skills, along with newer-technology multi-skilled vocations, to encourage students to pursue careers in these professional disciplines. These competitions continually raise standards and status for vocational education and training on a worldwide basis.

Vocational education and training (VET) often takes a back seat to university education, but VET is central and essential to economic growth and development and to community sustainability.

Are industries in your area already facing skills shortages related to products and services that local consumers, businesses and governments have taken for granted? Shortages in construction trades have many areas encouraging the entrance of women into traditionally male disciplines.

As individuals in the maturing work force shift the emphasis in their lives from working for a living to just living, many will set aside their trades and vocations to explore new opportunities and rewards. The projected decline in experience tradespeople and professionals makes the celebration of new talents and commitment important on many levels.

When you consider a move to a new community or province, investigate vocational education and training strategies in the area to ensure the quality of life you expect can be maintained. For instance, during Alberta’s last oil & gas boom consumer services struggled to find skilled and unskilled workers in most sectors. Even the airport shuttle, which closed down due to lack of professional drivers, has only now been reinstated. What will happen to this and other services during the next “up” economy?

Those ready to build or renovate their dream home should investigate the local availability of skilled workers before setting time-lines for moving and construction. Waiting for experienced workers to fit your construction project into their overloaded schedule can be expensive and exhausting.

Which vocational education and training strategies exist in your area to ensure it’s business as usual in all sectors during recessions and strong economies?

Published: September 8, 2009

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Futurist and Strategist PJ Wade is "The Catalyst" - intent on "Challenging The Best to Become Even Better." PJ earned this title by translating the dynamic impact of Boomers and their multi-generation families into relevant insights that start people thinking and taking action—in business and in life. Author of 8 books and more than 1800 published articles, PJ encourages individuals to become their own futurist. PJ writes and speaks about the insight, knowledge and solid decision-making skills that professionals and their clients need to live and work in this vortex of change. For instance, since PJ knows that home is headquarters for the new decades-long "unretirement," she wrote the popular book "Reverse Mortgages: Best Friend, Worst Enemy...Your Choice!", which is filled with suggestions and cautions on protecting, building and managing home equity. Her new business book, "What's Your Point?: Cut The Crap, Hit The Mark & Stick!" will be published in 2010. As The Catalyst, PJ provides strategic communication, client appreciation and advanced education services to the financial, tourism, lifestyle and service sectors - and the clients they serve. A frequently-quoted financial and business commentator, PJ is a thought-provoking strategic speaker who offers practical, real-life suggestions on leaving "the box" behind and embracing Forward Thinking - a talent she regularly demonstrates in this column. For more on keynotes, blogs, books and information on a range of 21st-Century topics, visit TheCatalyst.com.