The way we work and learn is changing fast. Roughly 10 million Canadians will be in completely different jobs by 2030 compared to the jobs they hold today—and many of these jobs don’t even exist today. While a growing part of our population needs to be reskilled, identifying a clear path for rapid skilling that is cost effective and meets the needs of employers is critical to building a skilled workforce for today’s jobs and for those of the future. Those populations who are prioritized for skilling are just as critical as the nature of the skilling. Canada needs to broaden and deepen the demographic diversity of our workforce in digitally oriented positions and through this to reduce the risk of communities or populations experiencing chronic under-employment. These are the foundations of the Digital Supercluster rapid skilling programs and the Digital Learning Lab.
The Digital Lift program led by BC Tech Association offers rapid skilling for high-demand tech positions and internship learning opportunities across Canada’s major industries, including technology, marine, construction, mining, forestry, aerospace and healthcare.
Since starting in March of 2021, the program has delivered over 200 software development courses in Java, Python, Scratch, web and app development to more than 70 neurodiverse students across the province, including students in Kitimat, Terrace, Prince Rupert and Courtenay. To date, over 75 interns have been successfully placed, helping both the employees and the employers. A 15-week intensive AWS cloud developer bootcamp was also launched for 22 students in January 2022. In addition, 35 Indigenous individuals received scholarships to complete a Digital Marketing certification in Spring 2022.
Partners on this program include BCIT, Riipen Networks, SkyHive Technologies, Virtro Technologies, AbCellera, Absolute Software, Amazon, Copperleaf, Change Healthcare, East Side Games, Finning, Jelly Digital Marketing, Providence Health Care, SAP, Seaspan Shipyards, Stemcell Technologies and TELUS.
“BC Tech was inspired to launch the Digital Lift program because today, every part of B.C.’s economy is tech-enabled and we need many more tech savvy workers to realize B.C.’s tech potential. We were thrilled to be joined by 17 BC Tech members who are investing in the future of B.C.’s tech economy as partners in Digital Lift, and we continue to attract new partners every month. Together we are determined to build a more diverse and inclusive tech sector by bringing more talent from under-represented groups into our industry. We know that our ambitions for B.C.’s tech economy can be reached, with the right level of investment into critical talent and accelerator programs.”
JILL TIPPING
CEO of BC Tech Association