I’m travelling across Canada for the next two weeks because Liberals have a story to share with Canadians about the role that skills training and education has to play in the creation of a sustainable economy.

That story started Monday at Ottawa’s Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence. Some students I met were preparing to enter the work force. Others re-training so they could jump back in.

Tuesday it was onto Kingston’s St. Lawrence College with Kingston and the Islands MP Ted Hsu. We toured several skilled trades labs that are training young men and women to work directly and hands on in the environmental sector, including on wind turbines, solar installations and with geothermal power. We also visited carpentry, plumbing and electrical labs, and enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the culinary students.

During an informal question and answer session, students and staff asked about issues specific to their College diplomas and courses, such as accreditation across the country, student loans and employment insurance delays. They also asked more generally about federal Liberal policy on matters such as climate change, incentive programs and a national role in the support of student education.

I want to thank St. Lawrence College President Chris Whitaker, Senior VP for Student and External Affairs Gord MacDougall, and the Dean of Applied Science, Don Young, for making Ted and I feel so welcome. It was a fascinating and very informative morning.

What are your ideas for building Canada’s future prosperity through skills training and trades? Share your views in the comments below.

- Bob Rae