Distributor Conference

The third annual Distributor Conference and Best Practices Seminar had its best turnout ever!

The exciting theme, Using TOWES in Business, and the central location drew 75 delegates to the Delta Ottawa Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, October 22-23, 2007.

Among the delegates were college distributors, private companies, and officials from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). They heard seven case studies from Canadian businesses and their college-based partners, demonstrating how Essential Skills training initiatives and TOWES testing have affected their organizations’ bottom lines in a positive manner.

Stora Enso, a global paper producer, worked with the Nova Scotia Community College to implement a custom-made Essential Skills learning program. John Kennedy is the Human Resources Manager for Stora Enso. 

Stora Enso incorporated Essential Skills requirements into job postings, created customized job profiles, and used TOWES testing to measure skills. By matching skill levels to jobs, Stora Enso gave its employees incentive to improve their skills.

Barbara Bain, Human Resource Manager for Boeing Canada Inc., said her corporation uses TOWES as part of their employment assessment process. The aerospace manufacturing company is preparing for production of the new 787 aircraft, necessitating the hiring of new employees. By using TOWES as part of the pre-employment screening process, Boeing was able to reduce employee turnover and improve new employee training results.

For more examples of the benefits Essential Skills and TOWES have provided organizations, please look at our case studies at http://towes.ca/towescasestudies.aspx

The conference also provided distributors the opportunity to hear from the federal government. Peter Larose, Director General of Human Resource and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), presented a history of Essential Skills and how successful collaborations with key stakeholders has created valuable resources.

The TOWES team also met with distributors about new and upcoming projects, different ways to market the TOWES brand, and ideas on increasing the awareness of Essential Skills.

The third annual Distributors’ Conference and Best Practices Seminar was, according to TOWES Director Conrad Murphy, a huge success.

“The most rewarding part of the conference was the messages that we heard from our customers about TOWES,” Murphy said. “The entire TOWES team has worked hard to establish the brand as a high quality product, backed up by friendly and professional customer service.”

“It was quite affirming to have a group of leading-edge Canadian businesses take the time and travel to Ottawa to share that message with our distributors.”

For more information on the TOWES Distributor Conference and Best Practices Seminar, contact Lauren Wagner at (403) 410-3202 or lwagner@bowvalleycollege.ca