Port sponsors luncheon focused on teaching, technology, and 21st century jobs

Making the connection between schools, business and the workforce of tomorrow was the topic at the Columbia River Economic Development Council’s Q2 Luncheon, and the Port of Vancouver USA was proud to be the presenting sponsor. Port Commission President Brian Wolfe opened the luncheon by providing examples of how technology is defining how the port does business.  From high-tech ship navigation to advanced GPS systems that safely guide trucks to their destinations, the port relies on technology and people who can use it.  “We’re a publicly-owned port that competes and provides transportation services on a global scale,” said Wolfe.  “We rely on an educated workforce that understands how trade decisions can change on the screen of an iPad,” he added. Keynote speaker at the luncheon was Dr. Cathy Davidson, author of Now You See It: How Technology and Brain Science Will Transform Schools and Business for the 21st Century.  Dr. Davidson was invited to present as part of Vancouver’s second annual digital literacy program, called #nextchapter.  Her remarks focused on the disconnect between what businesses look for when hiring employees in the 21^st Century; and how schools still use 18^th Century grading and hierarchical teaching methods.