SAIT’s new school prepares talent for the new economy
by Joel Schlesinger, Postmedia Content Works
Artificial intelligence, data analytics and robotics aren’t just buzzwords. They’re revolutionizing technologies that will affect every aspect of society and the economy in the coming decade.
And ensuring workers are able to apply these new technologies to solving industry problems is why SAIT will soon open a new school of advanced digital technology.
“Thanks to a generous contribution from David Bissett of $30 million, we have the opportunity to create this new school to prepare our students to solve the problems of today and tomorrow for industries across the province,” says Heather Magotiaux, vice-president of external relations at SAIT.
Founded in 1916, SAIT has long worked closely with industry and government to ensure graduates are job-ready and, more importantly, have the know-how to be at the forefront of innovation and economic growth.
“And what we’ve heard from industry is the skills our graduates need to have to be successful in the new economy are changing,” she says. “There’s a lot of digital disruption that is taking place in absolutely every industry we serve, whether it’s construction, transportation or health.”
That’s what the generous gift from Bissett, who helped build Calgary’s well-respected financial services industry, aims to support. Magotiaux notes Bissett has long appreciated SAIT’s strength in designing programs that nurture highly skilled workers who can rise to the challenges of rapid technological change.
“He’s very much a forward-thinking person.”
She adds his gift will only further strengthen learning opportunities at the school.
“More and more companies are looking at, for example, how to apply machine learning to make their organization better,” she says.
Magotiaux adds that the new school will facilitate the growth of new program offerings throughout SAIT, including in data analytics.
“That type of learning relies on having cutting-edge computing power and related technologies for our students — and that’s what this funding will help us to do.”
The school continues to work hand in glove with industry to help students build careers and, equally important, the future of the province.
“We’re always in touch with our industry partners to ensure what we’re doing today will help the city’s and province’s economy thrive in the new economy.”
Boyden uses expertise to boost community
Boyden is more than a leading Calgary executive search firm with global reach.
It’s a community builder.
“Our business is placing executives into leading companies and organizations, but our broader value proposition is that we are a very community-minded firm,” says Morgan Campbell, a managing partner of Boyden Canada’s Calgary office that opened more than 20 years ago.
“We call it Leading with Purpose. In other words, we’re not all about the almighty dollar; we care about giving back and being an integral part of Calgary’s social fabric.”
Founded in 1946 in the United States, Boyden has 65 offices in 42 countries and employs more than 130 people across Canada, including more than 20 full-time staff in Calgary.
“Our success is founded on becoming partners with our clients on their journey to find the best leaders for their organization,” says Kevin Gregor, another partner at Boyden’s Calgary office. “But we’re also partners in the communities in which we work, with many of our team taking lead roles on community and non-profit boards.”
As well, Boyden hosts regular events throughout the year to help charitable causes, including its popular Guinness and Green, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Petroleum Club.
“It’s an annual tradition in Calgary that we celebrate with between 400 and 600 people,” says managing partner Robert Travis.
“It’s quite a big event,” he adds, with Guinness and Green raising tens of thousands of dollars each year for local charities.
Of course, the March campaign is one among many community initiatives at Boyden.
While Boyden’s primary practice is supporting a diverse set of small, mid and large cap private sector organizations, one of the more unique ways the firm gives back is by using its expertise to support impactful non-profit organizations find board members and executives.
“We have helped the Calgary Drop-in and Rehab Centre find its executive director, and found leaders for United Way, just to name a couple of examples,” Campbell says.
Attracting top talent to clients in Calgary, across all sectors, is also a key stimulus for the city.
“We have a collective desire to match organizations with the right talent to meet their business objectives. Calgary plays a big role in Canada’s economy and we are proud to continuously partner with locally based organizations in their executive talent needs,” Travis explains.
Another recent initiative for the firm is its involvement with Calgary Economic Development to promote the city.
“When we get asked to have a meeting with a new company trying to decide on Calgary as its head office, we do it for the betterment of Calgary, not because there is potential benefit of our firm,” Gregor says. “That really speaks to our overall community-mindedness.
“When it comes to serving the community, we walk the talk.”
Theatre Calgary enriches lives through arts
Theatre Calgary is one of the city’s longest running arts and culture success stories.
And while the city’s oldest and largest theatre company puts on acclaimed performances, such as its reimagined and highly successful holiday staple A Christmas Carol, executive director Jon Jackson says the company’s role goes beyond entertainment.
It’s also a key part of the city’s economy and social fabric — like so many other arts and culture institutions in Calgary, he says.
“There is a thriving arts scene that greatly contributes to the city’s economy,” says Jackson, who took over as the head of the theatre company in 2018.
“The arts and culture sector contributes roughly $2 billion to Calgary’s GDP,” he says, pointing to the most recent data from 2016.
Overall, the arts industry in the city employs about 10,000 people annually, including 700 at Theatre Calgary. What’s more, last year Theatre Calgary put on 215 performances at either Max Bell Theatre or its riverside summer space for Shakespeare on the Bow, attracting more than 90,000 attendees in total.
In short, it’s a thriving business as much as it is a cultural institution. This year, the theatre has equally exciting productions lined up, including a new Canadian musical called The Louder We Get.
The made-in-Calgary production is based on the true story of Marc Hall, who fought for his right to take his boyfriend to a Catholic school prom.
And capping off the 2020 season is an equally crowd-pleasing show — Million Dollar Quartet, another musical based on a true story.
“It’s about a fateful night in Memphis, Tennessee, when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together for a one-time recording session.”
Besides a lineup of lively shows, Theatre Calgary also runs several programs aimed at cultural enrichment, including a matinee program for city schools and paid internships that let novices work with seasoned theatre veterans.
All these initiatives, Jackson adds, show that Theatre Calgary’s contributions — like those of other cultural institutions — are about more than dollars and cents.
“Its value proposition is so much more,” he says. “In short, art helps people grow.”
This feature was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Calgary Economic Development.
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