Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
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British Columbia is a recognized leader in research, and for developing and growing innovative technology companies, and is a destination for technology investment.
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This government has committed $1.8 billion since June 2001 to research and innovation in B.C., which has levered an additional $1 billion in research funding from other sources, for a total of $2.8 billion.
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We continue to support research infrastructure at universities, colleges and institutes through the BC Knowledge Development Fund - more than $434 million to-date, as well as through organizations such as Genome BC - $187 million, and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research - $362 million.
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B.C.'s technology sector provides jobs for more than 84,000 people at more than 8,900 established companies with another 18,750 emerging companies in all areas of the province.
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The sector accounts for 10 per cent of B.C.'s exports at $4.1 billion and is the third-largest contributor to B.C.'s gross domestic product at 5.9 per cent.
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New and established companies, and centres of research excellence in sectors ranging from health to wireless, form a vibrant technology cluster. The sector accounts for $18 billion in annual revenue - that is double B.C.'s overall growth - and includes:
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Clean technology - power generation, energy efficiency, transportation and industrial processes supports 6,400 jobs at 202 companies and generates $1.7 billion in revenue.
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Wireless - supports 10,200 jobs at 1,200 companies, and generates $3 billion in revenue.
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Information and communications technologies - provide more than 40,000 jobs at over 6,000 companies and generate $7.9 billion in revenue.
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Digital media - interactive design, digital entertainment and games, digital film, animation and special effects, mobile content and applications, and e-learning provide 14,000 jobs at 900 companies and generate $1.2 billion in revenue.
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Health and life sciences companies - produce medical devices, biopharmaceuticals, bio-products and process innovations and support 10,200 jobs at 340 companies that generate $800 million in revenue.
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Collaboration with other agencies supports and enables growth in technology. For example, the BC Innovation Council and Mitacs are piloting the Commercialization Voucher Program that connects B.C. companies with leading-edge researchers in post-secondary to help get new products to market faster.
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Programs under the BC Jobs Plan - like the commercialization vouchers and the BCIC Acceleration Network - are enhancing the competiveness of B.C. technology companies, and securing our reputation for supportive growth in the technology industry.
Contact:
Dan Gilmore
Communications manager
250 952-6400
https://news.gov.bc.ca/03449
