7855 Paul Hession (left in picture) accepted the prestigious silver distinction award from CATA (http://www.cata.ca/) President John Reid at the 16th annual GTEC (http://www.gtec.ca/) gala held at the Great Hall of the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau Quebec. The National Award recognizes Paul’s role as the executive leader of the team which successfully piloted a new methodology (http://www.netgov.ca/cp.asp?pid=386) in six federal Departments for implementing shared IT services. The federal government spends an estimated $5B per year in maintaining its current IT infrastructure of data centers, networks and desktops and is facing a staffing crisis because of massive retirements of baby boomers and declining enrollment in post secondary computer science programs. The gala was attended by 600 executives from the public sector and industry, while the GTEC conference agenda attracted over 5,000 visitors. The 2008 GTEC Distinction Awards judges received 75 nominations and finalists were chosen by a distinguished panel of public and private sector experts. SCOAP (the Society of Collaborative Opportunities and Advancement of Professionals), a non-profit association dedicated to exploring achievement and issues related to the management of information and technology in a knowledge-based society, provided the selection committee. According to Oracle Corporation Canada Inc Vice-President Henk Dykhuizen, “these Distinction Awards recognize the achievements of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution and who have set an example of executing on the vision of Government 2.0” “The GTEC Distinction Awards are designed to formally recognize and celebrate leadership, innovation and excellence in enabling and managing service delivery within the public sector” added Maurice Chenier, CEO of Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Information Technology Services Branch. “This gala was a unique opportunity for the Government of Canada and a great accomplishment for us as we move forward with IT Shared Services.”
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12944 Captain (Ret’d) André JE Durand (CMR RMC ’82)
Whether you call it a job fair or career fair – or “college and professional training and information day” as Billings guidance counsellor Lorraine Beaton prefers – last Wednesday’s special event at the school turned out to be a very productive exercise for students. The activity was divided into two sections: The morning was reserved mostly for colleges and CEGEPs, and the afternoon for career education and technology centres, as each visiting representative tried to reach out to the students with details of what to expect if they choose to attend that particular learning establishment. The entire project was organized by Beaton, the lone Billings guidance counsellor serving 1,150 students.
Among the morning exhibits was Collège Militaire Royale in St. Jean, represented by André Durand, which reopened to English applicants last year for a two-year CEGEP program. Graduates have the option of moving on to Royal Military College in Kingston. “And don’t forget that the military funds students who opt for specific trades, such as electronics,” Beaton reminded. “Therefore, students can early as much as $20-$30,000 a year and still attend school. This is not chump change,” she emphasized. “A lot of colleges have on-the-job training components where students learn theory and applications and then go and do it, meeting prospective employers along the way. Some even go on to university after completing a three-year technical program.” Other afternoon delights were …the Armed Forces reserves and Canadian Forces recruiting centre.
http://monteregieweb.com/main+fr+01_300+Career_inf ormation_day_at_Billings.html?
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What every Canadian should know about Afghanistan
7441 RAdm (Ret’d) Kenneth Summers
S137 BGen (Ret’d) Donald Macnamara
How much does the average Canadian know about what Canadian troops and civilians are doing in Afghanistan?
After years of working as a defence analyst, and much involvement with Afghanistan, retired air force Brigadier-General Don Macnamara is baffled by the lack of public knowledge among Canadians, and wants to educate people on what is not being covered in the media.
Read the rest of the article HERE.