Closing the Talent Gap: How SFU is Stepping Up to Meet B.C.’s Biggest Economic Challenge
Joy Johnson
More than a million new jobs will need to be filled in B.C. over the next decade, 81 per cent of which will require post-secondary education. And skills learned at university are the most in demand by sectors which are drivers of B.C.’s future economy.
Businesses and employers point to this “talent gap” as one of the most significant challenges ahead. And talent development was a key priority of the Stronger BC Economic Plan recently released by the Province.
In her second address to the Board of Trade, SFU President Joy Johnson will explain how this challenge provides a generational opportunity for B.C. to develop, attract and retain the talent it needs to drive innovation and growth. Dr. Johnson will describe how SFU and other institutions are stepping up to meet this challenge in innovative ways, and what further action is needed by government, business and the post-secondary sector to develop the talent required to secure B.C.’s economic future.
About the speaker:
Joy Johnson is president and vice-chancellor of Simon Fraser University, and professor in its Faculty of Health Sciences.
As president, Joy is committed to building community partnerships; enhancing student learning experiences; supporting Indigenous reconciliation; and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across the university.
Prior to her appointment as president, Joy served as SFU’s vice-president, research and international, and oversaw the evolution of cutting-edge research, innovation, and international engagement across eight faculties.
Under her leadership, SFU’s achieved the fastest growth of any Canadian university research income of any university in Canada, with a focus on mobilizing knowledge to enhance the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of its communities.
Prior to SFU, Joy had a distinguished career in academics and research. She is an elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and has co-authored more than 180 peer-reviewed articles.
Joy is currently serving on the Universities Canada Executive Committee.
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