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BC Provincial Government Announces New Initiatives to Support BC Tech Industry
Friday, March 17, 2017Company Profile | Follow Company
Vancouver, BC, March 17, 2017--(T-Net)--The BC provincial government announced this week a significant increase in the number of tech-related grads and co-op placements throughout the province to drive tech talent development and support continued growth in British Columbia's thriving technology sector, among other new initiatives.
“B.C.'s tech community has told us their number-one priority is making sure British Columbians have the talent and skills they need so the sector can continue to grow and thrive,” said Premier Clark. “The revised BC Tech Strategy is about giving British Columbians in all corners of the province every opportunity to build careers in tech.”
B.C. will work to increase the number of tech-grads by 1,000 per year by 2022. Post-secondary tech degree program co-op placements will be doubled to over 1,400 students annually, and the Mitacs student research program will be expanded by two-thirds to over 800 internships annually.
The Province will take the following steps to further grow B.C.'s supply of tech talent:
To ensure B.C. has a climate that supports investment and growth, government will:
Several new initiatives are focused on supporting market development opportunities:
The new initiatives announced today are aimed at achieving four aspirational goals for B.C. tech:
"B.C. tech is changing the world and creating new opportunities, including new jobs fuelled by five straight years of sector growth. Evolving initiatives in the #BCTECH Strategy reflect our focus on enabling tech companies to grow and reach their full potential. We are creating the conditions that are helping the sector thrive, from clean-tech to lifesciences to ICT.” said Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services.
"Great things are happening in British Columbia's ever-growing and ever-diversifying technology sector. The strategic and responsive partnership between government and industry that is represented by the #BCTECH Strategy ensures the trend line continues along an upward trajectory." said Don Mattrick, co-chair, Premier's Technology Council.
“We're pleased to see that the government's continued focus on the priority areas that the BC tech community has identified. The investments in talent, experiential learning and expanding investments in education will play an essential role in deepening B.C.'s tech talent pool and ensure that we're well positioned to significantly grow the tech sector.” said Bill Tam, president and CEO, BC Technology Association.
Quick Facts:
Profile of the British Columbia Technology Sector: 2016 Edition
Contact:
Stephen Smart
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
Stephen.Smart@gov.bc.ca
778 389-6202
Joanne Whittier
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services
250 387-0172
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Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Victoria (Non-Tech Sectors)
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