Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In all the testimony we heard, the same thing almost always comes up, that is to say basic skills. The various industry stakeholders tell us that they have to do more general training when they should be able to do professional training, training specific to their business or industry. That is the case because the workers who arrive with technical training do not have the basic skills they should have acquired during their schooling, rather than during vocational training.
First, my question is addressed to our two witnesses from Nova Scotia. They are the closest to the communities and they will be able to give us a more appropriate vision of the aboriginal communities. My question will then be addressed to all of our guests.
In your opinion, what changes should the federal government, which is responsible for educating aboriginal populations, make so that we can, both on and off reserves, fight the drop-out rate and school failure in aboriginal communities? These mean that young aboriginal persons of 17 or 18 years of age cannot accede to vocational training programs because they do not have the basic training.