Wake up the Ghosts! Texas, Texas A&M Rivalry That Dates to 1894 Is Reborn
AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:44 p.m. ESTTHE LOST CITY
HAMILTON, Ontario, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Manufacturing is essential to the Canadian economy, contributing approximately 10% of our GDP. Two of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers is ensuring that their workers have the right skills to support them as they take on new technologies and practices, and onboarding enough new workers to support sustained operations and growth. These challenges will be exacerbated as more of the existing workforce enters retirement. Introducing automation and other digital technologies has been proposed as a solution to address the skills gap, but it poses its own set of unique challenges. Canada’s Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS) contains data on the competencies required to work in 900 different occupations, providing the users with a standardized way to understand how competencies vary by level of proficiency across occupations. With the rapid adoption of technologies, can the OaSIS database support the future needs of the manufacturing sector? Also, is there alignment of skills and competencies across manufacturing subsectors? In one study conducted under NGen’s Future Ready program, funded in part by ESDC’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP), the cluster contracted 6 industry associations (APMA, BioTalent Canada, CMISA, DAIR, FPSC, and SIMSA) to engage their members to help generate a snapshot of the current skills and proficiencies of the Canadian manufacturing workforce, and how those skills and proficiencies are projected to evolve through 2040. In total, 157 Canadian manufacturers participated in this study. Projected skill levels for 2030 and 2040 indicate an emerging emphasis on digital literacy, cognitive skills, and soft skills, with the largest changes in projected proficiencies occurring in Digital Literacy, Problem Solving, and Creativity and Innovation. The results paint a picture of a digitally literate workforce that will require cognitive and soft skill enhancement to be effective in the digital work environment of the future. These findings suggest that manufacturing needs to understand and prepare for changes in competencies across all job functions. This will require a strategy of incorporating continuous upskilling and recruitment within and across the manufacturing sector. Another important finding was that there is a great deal of commonality across the various sectors of manufacturing and across regions, meaning that pan-Canadian, cross-sectoral solutions have the potential to drive tremendous economic impact. To read more about NGen’s workforce research initiatives, visit . “We believe that our manufacturing workforce is a critical national asset and must be looked at through a pan-Canadian, cross-sectoral lens. Through our collaboration with six organizations supporting specific manufacturing sectors, we have identified common core competencies as well as common skills challenges facing Canada’s manufacturing sector which provides nearly ten percent of Canada’s GDP.” – Stewart Cramer, Chief Manufacturing Officer, NGen “As the lead skills training organization for Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry, we know — as do businesses — that upskilling and continuous learning is fundamental to any successful workforce. Skills training values individuals and supports recruitment and retention.” – Jennefer Griffith, Executive Director, Food Professing SKills Canada “Transitions aren’t only about innovation and technology. The companies that get it right are the ones that will bet on their current workforce with new skills, patience and direction. The jurisdictions that will lead in the new automotive will be the ones that partner with those companies and workers to chart their path.” – Flavio Volpe, President, APMA “The Saskatchewan labour market is very competitive, and the manufacturing market has a difficult time competing with other booming, high productivity markets such as mining, energy and tech. The skill trend analysis we did in partnership with NGen underscores a dynamic shift in occupational competencies, highlighting the move from solely technical skills to a more broadly skilled and adaptable workforce across various sectors. Research of this kind is essential to our ability to build the workforce that we will need to compete and grow not only against our global competitors, but also in the fierce competition for talent in our home province of Saskatchewan. SIMSA greatly appreciates the support of and invaluable work by NGen!” – Eric Anderson, Executive Director, SIMSA NGen is the industry-led not-for-profit organization that leads Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing. Its mandate is to help build world-leading advanced manufacturing capabilities in Canada for the benefit of Canadians. NGen works to strengthen collaboration among its membership of more than 5,000 manufacturers, technology companies, innovation centres, and researchers, and provides funding and business support to industry-led initiatives that aim to develop, apply, or scale-up transformative manufacturing solutions in Canada for commercialization in global markets. . Robbie MacLeod 613-297-3578Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New YorkNone
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Trump’s tariff pledges have companies questioning inventory, supply chainsALL the places of interest and local food stops in Petaling Jaya’s oldest township are marked out in the “PJ Old Town Cultural and Food Map”. The project, conceptualised by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, is a pilot initiative undertaken to inject life into the city’s old town. Lee embarked on the project to highlight the historical places, landmarks and eateries in PJ Old Town after setting up his service centre in 2023. “I decided to embark on this project to highlight the historical places, landmarks and dining places after setting up my service centre in Petaling Jaya Old Town in May 2023. “I find that this area has its own beauty and characteristics that are different from other urban areas in Petaling Jaya. “People will get to experience a different vibe and atmosphere when they come here,” said Lee, describing the neighbourhood as having a blend of nostalgic charm and modern living. Petaling Jaya Old Town, better known as PJ Old Town, comprises Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4. It was built as a satellite town in Selangor in 1952 by the British to address overcrowding in Kuala Lumpur. The PJ Old Town Cultural and Food Map highlights 18 landmarks including places of worship, 13 old shops and 18 types of food including both Muslim-friendly and non-halal options. “The map is designed to be a walking guide where visitors can explore on their own. It includes a suggested itinerary for a day trip, although a half-day visit is sufficient,” said Lee. “PJ Old Town is accessible by public transport. Visitors can stop at Taman Jaya or Asia Jaya LRT stations, then board either the PJ01 or T640 bus for the PJ Old Town Bus Terminal.” A must-visit destination when in the old quarters of Petaling Jaya is Medan Selera Jalan Othman, which was established in 1960. Besides the food court, the old and popular Pasar Besar Jalan Othman is also listed on the map. Other decades-old notable landmarks are Assunta Hospital (established in 1954), Church of The Assumption (built in 1959), Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple better known as Petaling Jaya Pillaiyar Temple with its Dravidian architecture (built in 1964), Kwan Inn Teng Temple (founded in 1952) and Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz (started off as a surau in 1956, then a mosque in 1964) which is the first mosque in Section 1. According to the guide, the site of Terminal Bas Jalan Othman Petaling Jaya was initially used by visiting circuses in the 1950s before the building came about. The original bus terminal building, which was popular among commuters in the 1970s to 1990s, made way in 2015 for the construction of a modern two-storey facility completed three years later. Built at a cost of RM3.19mil, the bus terminal was an initiative by Transport Ministry and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, a prominent landmark along Jalan Selangor. From vision to reality The map was launched at a Mid-Autumn Festival event jointly organised by Lee and Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran’s offices in September. Lee said it took his team six months to work on the project, through research, dialogue sessions with resident groups and interviews with business operators in the old town. “PJ Old Town has a rich history as it served as the first administrative centre in Petaling Jaya. It was also an important economic and social hub. “We included bits of interesting information as fun facts in the map, such as the biggest roundabout in Petaling Jaya (which was demolished) and origins of the names Jalan Templer and Jalan Othman. “We also engaged a local illustrator to draw the map. A core team of five people worked on the project, with the project costing less than RM20,000,” he said, adding with a laugh that his team tried every dish and visited dining spots mentioned in the map to ensure they were worth recommending. The first print run of the map features 7,000 copies in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin. Lee described the map as a “living document”, as his team would improve on it from time to time, with future plans to translate it into Tamil and other languages. While most places listed in the map are accessible on foot, Lee acknowledged that more needed to be done to make Petaling Jaya Old Town suitable for walking. To make the area more inclusive, MBPJ upgraded Section 1’s commercial area to include disabled-friendly facilities such as ramps. Medan Selera Jalan Othman has been around since 1960. Lee is hoping that the map project encourages people to visit the area and patronise businesses there – be it discovering old shops with their unique trades or the local food. For example, Pat Seong Wine Merchant and Sang Hup Hardware and Sons, which have both been around since 1954, are touted as the oldest shops in Petaling Jaya. Then there is Brother Lim Cushion, which specialises in repair and customisation of sofa and car seat cushions and has been in the old town since 1972. Auntie Peggy’s Classic ais kacang and cendol, Kavitha Banana Leaf, Traditional Hakka Lui Char Restaurant and Nasi Lemak Goreng Chef Fauzey are among the well-known eateries listed. Lee is open to the idea of future collaborations, such as a photo exhibition featuring old snaps of Petaling Jaya Old Town or in-depth walking tours led by experienced guides. Traditional Hakka Lui Char Restaurant specialises in Hakka lei cha – a vegetarian rice dish topped with loads of herbs and green, and savoured with herbal broth. “I feel very welcomed since opening my office here. The senior folks enjoy sharing and chatting about their experiences, and life here resembles the harmonious fabric of Malaysia. “PJ Old Town has reached a crossroad. It is an ageing neighbourhood, so there is a need to develop it in a sustainable manner to retain its traditional charm while attracting young people to come here. “There is also a need to look into better care and having engaging programmes for the many senior folk living here.” Physical copies of the map are available at Lee’s office in Section 1, Rajiv’s office in Petaling Jaya New Town, Jalan Othman Petaling Jaya Bus Terminal as well as at these restaurants – Tingkap Cafe in Section 1, Kanna Curry House in Section 17 and New Ipoh Chicken Rice in Jalan Gasing. The digital version is available at pjlestari.com/cultural-map/ 'CLICK TO ENLARGE' Walking tour Lee, a first-term MP and former assemblyman from Pahang, personally led a group on a half-day walk in mid-October to visit several places mentioned in the PJ Old Town Cultural and Food Map. For Heidi Khalisah Azwari, the walking tour allowed her to gain insight and rediscover old places she used to frequent during her childhood years. “I grew up at my grandmother’s house in Taman Medan and studied at SK Assunta 2,” said Heidi Khalisah, 20, who is now studying at a private university in Raub, Pahang. “I got the opportunity to appreciate the buildings I used to walk past. “It is also nice to know the eateries I frequented are still around.” She said she used to eat satay at Medan Selera Jalan Othman, nasi lemak with ayam goreng at Nasi Lemak Goreng Chef Fauzey and enjoyed celebratory treats at McDonald’s when she did well at school. Petaling Jaya Community Library has a small exhibition area with artefacts curated by Petaling Jaya Museum. Heidi Khalisah added that the Petaling Jaya Community Library was where she would study for her exams and hang out with friends. Pong Siew Chu, 62, said the walking tour offered new insight into her neighbourhood, even after having lived in Section 1 for 40 years. Her husband, Wong Chong Tow, is the Section 1B Rukun Tetangga treasurer. “It was the first time I entered the premises of several places of worship,” said Pong who did the half-day walk with her son, Wong Jun Zhi, 22. “I am keen on renewing my membership at PJ Community Library after learning of its newer facilities. “It has a play area with books and activities for children aged up to seven years, so I can take my two grandsons, aged two years and five months, there when they come for a visit.” Kompleks Rakan Muda Arena Petaling Jaya is a sports complex located along Jalan Selangor. Pong said she has patronised a number of shops and eateries listed in the map, and goes to Pasar Besar Jalan Othman to do her daily marketing. “I hope the map helps draw in more visitors to the Section 1 neighbourhood and revive businesses here. “Perhaps Lee or a relevant authority could consider having murals on walls to add an artistic element to PJ Old Town, similar to the ‘Little Children on a Bicycle’ mural in George Town, Penang,” she added. Pong said she would also promote the map to her neighbours and students attending the daycare service she operates.Queanbeyan hero honoured at the Australian War Memorial
Air Products And Chemicals: This Dividend Aristocrat Remains Buyable Now
, /PRNewswire/ -- Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., or MAA (NYSE: MAA), today announced that its board of directors approved a quarterly dividend payment of per share of common stock to be paid on , to shareholders of record on . The increase will raise the annualized dividend payment 3.1% to per share of common stock and represents the 15 consecutive year MAA has increased its dividend to shareholders. As established in prior quarters, the board of directors declared the quarterly common dividend in advance of MAA's earnings announcement that is expected to be made on . MAA is a self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) and member of the S&P 500. MAA owns or has ownership interest in apartment communities primarily throughout the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. focused on delivering strong, full-cycle investment performance. For further details, please refer to or contact Investor Relations at . Certain matters in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended with respect to our expectations for future periods. Such statements include statements made about the payment of common dividends. The ability to meet the payment of common dividends in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements could differ materially from the projection due to a number of factors, including a downturn in general economic conditions or the capital markets, changes in interest rates and other items that are difficult to control such as increases in real estate taxes in many of our markets, as well as the other general risks inherent in the apartment and real estate businesses. Reference is hereby made to the filings of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K, and its annual report on Form 10-K, particularly including the risk factors contained in the latter filing. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE MAA