Growing BC tech industry faces skills shortage
Briefs | 03/19/2007 4:00 am EDT
Thousands of new jobs will be available in BC’s technology industry in the upcoming year, but a report from the British Columbia Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) raises concerns that a skills shortage will make it hard to fill the positions. "Overall, it appears that the BC technology industry is at a critical juncture," said the report. "The technology labour pool is tightening, industry headcount is at a peak level, and the companies in BC are very bullish about prospects and demand for talent over the next year." The study also suggested that the industry headcount would double to more than 130,000 employees by 2010. To combat the shortage, the BCTIA suggested out-of-province recruitment and developing more specialized education and training programs.