The Presenters

Rob Despins

Rob Despins, has recently been promoted to General Manager of Dunlop Standard Corporate University, a new business venture designed to develop the Human Capital of the organization and sell learning services to the general market. Robert was previously the Director of Marketing Systems for Standard Aero Ltd, an aircraft engine repair and overhaul facility headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada. Standard Aero employs 2400 worldwide and services customers in over 80 countries. Robert has been employed with Standard Aero for 16 years serving in the capacity of Manager of Training, Manager of Employee Relations, and Operations Manager. Rob is also Chair of the Board for Canadian Manufacturer’s and Exporters, Manitoba Division and has served on the board for over 10 years. He is the business co-chair for Workplace Education Manitoba a business-government –labor committee, which promotes work-based human development approaches. Rob also chairs the advisory committee for the Advanced Technology Management Program at Red River Community College.

Brigid Hayes

Brigid Hayes has been a Program Manager with the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Human Resources Development Canada since 1989. She is responsible for the NLS partnerships with business and labour, and for workplace literacy. Prior to joining the NLS, Brigid was Director of the Voluntary Action Directorate, Department of the Secretary of State, where she was responsible for promoting voluntarism and for the Department’s policy efforts on voluntary action. Before entering the federal public service in 1984, Brigid worked for several years as a consultant in program and policy development with clients from the criminal justice field, women’s organizations, aboriginal organizations, aboriginal women’s organizations and the voluntary sector. Brigid holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Western Ontario and will graduate with her Masters of Arts degree in Canadian Studies from Carleton University in June 2003.

Sandi Howell

Sandi Howell is the Coordinator of Workplace Essential Skills for Industry Training partnerships, Manitoba Education Training and Youth. Sandi has a background in the development of workplace curricula and implementation of workplace training related to essential skills and English as a Second Language. Over the last 17 years, she has developed curricula for many sectors, most notably Aerospace and Agriculture. Sandi has a Masters of Education in Curriculum Development. Prior to her current position, Sandi worked for the Department of National Defence in the development of training materials, including paper-based, web and multimedia. She is also the Coordinator of industry-based Prior Learning Assessment.