A former federal Conservative cabinet minister has raised the ire of members of the Portage School Division.

Perrin Beatty spoke at the Canadian Bureau of International Education Convention in Quebec City on Monday. In part of his speech, he said high schools in this country aren't effectively preparing their graduates for even entry-level jobs.

portageonline.com news contacted Beatty in Regina, where he stood by his comments. He favours introducing business education into high school curricula because most people will work for business at some time. Beatty's concerned teaching those basic principles isn't a priority.

Meanwhile, Portage School Board Chair Yvette Cuthbert believes this division's doing a good job of preparing graduates for the workforce. It's done through work-experience partnerships with businesses, as well as a variety of trades options and academic streams.

Portage Collegiate Vice-principal Bob Kriski agrees, adding teachers feels some frustration their efforts go unnoticed.

Beatty is now CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. He maintains Canadian post-secondary grads lack skills in literacy, numeracy, problem solving, and teamwork.