Collectively reimagining what work, life, business and education will look like after COVID-19 will be the focus of discussion Friday, Feb. 19 at the annual accounting symposium hosted by the Goodman School of Business CPA Ontario Centre for Public Policy.

The centre’s 2021 symposium, Business in the Post-Pandemic Economy: Ensuring Sustainability in Business and Education, has moved online this year. The free webinar will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

Keynote speaker Jean McClellan, National Consulting People and Organization Leader at PwC Canada, has been closely monitoring how the pandemic has been impacting both employees and organizations.

Keynote speaker Jean McClellan, National Consulting People and Organization Leader at PwC Canada, will discuss what investments in employees successful organizations will need to make in a post-pandemic economy.

Her talk titled “New World. New Skills. For the New Reality,” will focus on upskilling — how organizations give employees opportunities to gain the knowledge, tools and ability they need to adapt to the ever-changing technologies in the workplace and their daily lives.

“Organizations that have invested in upskilling their people on new technologies and new ways of working adapted quickly and have gained competitive advantage,” McClellan said. “Now, the organizations that will outperform their peers are thinking strategically about where we work, the skills we need and the technology that supports us.”

Skills relating to employee wellness have become more important over the last few years, McClellan said, but COVID has only enhanced the need for a focus in this area.

“On a day-to-day basis, I see front-line leaders and professionals struggle with knowing how to support their teams,” McClellan said. “Continued focus on skill building in this area is critically important.”

Following the keynote, a panel discussion will take place hosted by Goodman Associate Professor Anamitra Shome and will feature Mike Watt, Executive Vice-President of Walker Industries, Cara Krezek, Director of Co-op, Career and Experiential Education at Brock who is currently on secondment with Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, as well as three Accounting students.

CPA Ontario members can receive CPD hours for attending the symposium. Anyone interested in attending can register on the event website.