Dave Robertson, directeur de l'organisation du travail des TCA, a prononcé
une allocution lors du lancement du Centre du savoir sur l'apprentissage et
le milieu de travail, qui s'est déroulé à Toronto le 14 septembre 2005.

Notes for Remarks
David Robertson, Director, Work Organization and Training
CAW (Canadian Auto Workers)

September 14, 2005

Workplace learning is a priority for the labour movement. Our members want more opportunities for learning, they’re committed to skill development and they expect their knowledge, 'know how' and abilities to make a contribution to our workplaces and communities.

Measure that against the reality of Canada’s poor training performance -- we trail most comparable jurisdictions.

We don't have national standards for workplace training. There are no targets.  We haven't developed a training infrastructure. We don't have financial supports. We don't have obligated employers.

If that's what brings us to today's launch of the CCL's Centre for Work and Learning, then what we bring to the process is our experience and our commitment.

Unions are active on a wide range of training fronts. An example, from my own union. In this round of bargaining with the Big Three we are addressing an extensive range of training and education issues: 

• Training to respond to new and emerging technologies;
• Programs on production and operating systems;
• Training to make workplaces healthier and safer;
• Programs to shape workplace culture;
• Training that stretches from new hires to retirees;
• Programs that reach from basic skills to post secondary opportunities.

Certainly unions will invest their time and energy into the new Work and Learning Knowledge Centre. Hopefully employers will as well. That is just one of the reasons the CLBC is an excellent choice for the leadership of the centre -- they have a lot of successful experience with business and labour. 

The labour movement is encouraged that in setting up this centre there is recognition of the importance of workplace learning.

We see three important moments in the work of the Centre. There is the generation of knowledge -- both the how and what of it. The second is the transfer of knowledge and the third is how knowledge can leverage action. We're determined to do whatever we can to make sure that whatever the centre does, it fuels actions.

We look forward to a collaborative effort among all the consortium members. We know that, at times there will be differences of views, perspectives and priorities but we are confident they can be worked through.

It took a lot of energy, leadership and commitment from the CCL to get us this far. I know it will continue with the CLBC and I’m confident the Centre will be successful.

We're ready to go to work.