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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 21, 2006 -BI BUSINESS CELEBRATIONS: At Ieft, Nicole Banlvcc 7, shows her ink- covered palms as she prepares ta getl f' printed at the Child Find Ontario table set ' up as part of the recent first anniversary celebrations of the Royal Bank of Canadas Steeles Avenue branch. At right, 18-month-old Lucy Jackson tries out some of the play equipment with some encouragement from mom Jennifer as the two took in the recent grand opening of the Wee Play Childrens Centre on Nipissing Road. GRAHAM PAINE CANADIAN CHAMPION sw Businesses must have a strong CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Local eînployers need it "play defenc t0 stop the good employ tes they have from leaving for greener pastures. That was one of« the messages Dr. Tim Rutledgc delivered to those in atndance at the Halton lndustry Education Counil (HIEL) annual Breakfast with the Mayors Wednesday mornîng. The session, held at Granite Ridge Golf Club, was attend- cd by dozens of local business people, school board officiaIs, politicians and students who 1 arned more about the chang- ing job market fromn Rutledge, an employee engagement and retention expert. Using sports lingo, Rutledgc explained that for business- es, playing offence is about rccruiting and hirnng talented people, while defence focuses on retaining and engaging them. "Today, we need to view our employces as investiments, not colts be said. He talked about how the job market is shiftrng 10 a "sel- r' market," wherc there are more job vacancies tha there are job seekers. "The resumes will not flood in - they will trickle in," he said, noting a sellers' market creates the need to keep good people and "manage the 'Exit' door." He emphasized that in a sellers' market, supervisory skills - - - - - - - -- -- -- -- - are essential. "Talent will not work for poor supervisors," he said. fo Rutledge also discussed how employers can engage their staff, such as by providing flexible work arrangements and rccognizing achievements. He added, "The most important factor in employees' will- ingness 10 engage is tir feeling about tir relationship with their supervisors. You cant afford to have poor man- agers. Lam The Breakfast with the Mayors also celebrated HIECs av $2 0 7th anniversary Halton HilIs Mayor Rick Bonnette said he appreciates thie A efforts IlIF bas mades over the vears. mng il provid's an invaluahie sci-s ice that hclps youth prepare i 01 for the future. Mayor Gord Krantz concurred that partnersbips like the ones HIEC bas formed in the community are crucial. And Halton Caîholic Sebool Board Education Director Lou Piovesan said, "Ir has heen virl gratifying te, watch this organization continue 10 grow" Wi HIEC staff went on to present Teriy Murphy of Landscape Ontario with the HIEC Partnership Award. Melanie Hennesscy ci be reached at mhcnnessey@milton-