The federal government announced Friday it will spend $27 million on upskilling programs for workers in the province, to be administered by industry group TechNL.
In a statement, TechNL said it will work with the feds and educational institutions, such as Memorial University and the privately operated Keyin College, to bolster the technology sector workforce and make the industry more welcoming to under-represented groups.
A recruitment campaign will also enlist youths’ teachers, parents, coaches and other authority figures to encourage them to consider technology as a career.
“The importance of technology cannot be understated. Every industry and sector in this province is influenced by it and we are very excited to continue to build on this province’s already impressive tech sector,” said TechNL CEO Florian Villaumé in a statement. “People from all backgrounds will access training and upskilling through the Find Your Future in Tech program.
“Find Your Future in Tech will dispel the myths about the tech sector and inspire rewarding careers with limitless possibilities.”
The new announcement is part of a broader trend of startup support organizations in Atlantic Canada looking to fill labour supply gaps via educational initiatives.
The University of New Brunswick said last year it will double its computer science enrolment by 2026. Digital Nova Scotia is launching an upskilling program open to adults from all four Atlantic provinces who are interested in tech careers. And also in Newfoundland, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence at Memorial University is a new research institute that will collaborate with the private sector and train graduate-level students.
