The second plenary speech at this year’s Niagara Economic Summit will be delivered by David Tsubouchi, Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Trades.

The Ontario College of Trades is an industry-driven, professional regulatory body that protects the public by regulating and promoting the skilled trades.

One of the main responsibilities of the College is to ensure that individuals performing the skills of compulsory trades have the training and certification required to legally practise this trade in Ontario.

The College puts the decision-making in the hands of those that are directly impacted by those decisions.

David Tsubouchi joined the Ontario College of Trades as the Registrar & CEO in September 2013 and is responsible for leading the College in overseeing the training, qualification and conduct of skilled tradespeople.

Under Tsubouchi’s leadership, the College ensures accountability to its members and the public through inclusive and transparent governance.

A lawyer, businessman and former Ontario cabinet minister, Tsubouchi holds the distinction of being the first Japanese Canadian to be elected to any position in Canada.

Tsubouchi has been an international key note speaker in many countries including Dubai, Macau, China, Japan and the United States.

At the Summit, Tsubouchi will tackle the question of the skills gap. As Registrar and CEO of the College of Trades, his perspective on the shortage of skilled trades is unique and deep. The College’s mission under Tsubouchi’s leadership is to meet the demands of employers while remaining uncompromising on standards and training.

What skills are we short of, and how will we fill the gap while preserving training standards? What can employers do when confronted with shortages of skilled workers? What is the College doing to help meet the demand in the trades? In his plenary speech, Tsubouchi will answer these questions and more.

Tsubouchi will then join a panel of experts, including Niagara College Dean of Media, Trades & Technology Misheck Mwaba, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 303 Business Manager & Financial Secretary Mark Cherney, Walker Industries Human Resources Director Lisa Benger, and Manpower Canada Vice-President Darlene Minatel. Summit attendees will have the opportunity to pose their own questions to Tsubouchi and his fellow panelists. To hear his insights and ask him your own questions on the skills gap, get tickets to the Summit here.