The Government of B.C. is providing $6 million, through the BC Innovation Council (BCIC), to support the growth and success of the province’s vibrant technology sector while furthering the momentum of the BC Jobs Plan.

This funding provides students the opportunity to build desired skills while being exposed to future career possibilities, simultaneously connecting companies to knowledgeable and passionate students who can be trained to meet their needs.

BCIC Tech Works, delivered through BCIC, unites students with valuable training opportunities at innovative companies in B.C.’s technology sector through the BCIC Innovator Skills Initiative and BC Tech Co-Op Grants Program.

Increasing support for this quickly expanding sector is vital as technology touches almost everything we do in our daily lives and plays a role in all industries: from wireless to big data, robotics, wearables and genomics. BCIC Tech Works facilitates knowledge transfer and innovation in the technology sector which can impact and advance all other industries from healthcare to our traditional resource industries including mining, forestry, energy and more.

To keep our economy diverse, strong and growing, since September 2011 the BC Jobs Plan has been building on the strengths of our province’s most competitive sectors utilizing our educated and skilled workforce.

Quotes:

Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services -

“These new programs will encourage the development of small and medium tech firms in B.C. and the training of a new workforce, adapted to the needs of British Columbia’s industry.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour -

“Technology is a key sector that is helping to drive B.C.’s diverse economy and has been one of the top three fastest private sector job creators over the last decade. This new funding will continue to help drive this development by training entrepreneurs today and generating desirable jobs for highly skilled, creative and educated British Columbians for the future.”

Greg Caws, president and CEO of BC Innovation Council -

“By training and developing entrepreneurs today, we create tomorrow’s leaders - those who will have a long lasting impact on the future of B.C. through job creation and economic development.”

Quick Facts:

• The technology sector is one of eight key sectors targeted in the BC Jobs Plan and is increasingly a key driver for the economy.
• British Columbia has consistently been among the top provincial performers in terms of growth in technology revenues - outpacing overall Canadian high tech revenue growth.
• It is also the second fastest private sector job creator over the past decade, and generates over 84,000 jobs for B.C. families.
• BCIC is government’s crown corporation, supporting new start-ups and entrepreneurs through its 13 cross-provincial delivery partners.
• Funding for the BCIC Innovator Skills Initiative and BC Tech Co-Op Grants Program is supported by the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services and the Ministry of Advanced Education.

Learn More:

About BCIC:

BCIC, a Crown corporation of the Province of B.C., encourages the development and application of advanced or innovative technologies to meet the needs of industry in B.C. We accelerate technology commercialization by supporting startups and developing entrepreneurs. With our partners, BCIC delivers programs and initiatives that promote company growth, resulting in jobs, increased revenue and economic development in B.C. www.bcic.ca

About BCIC Tech Works:

BCIC Tech Works offers two programs designed to fuel the growth and success of B.C.’s vibrant technology sector while furthering the momentum of the BC Jobs Plan. BCIC Tech Works unites students with valuable training opportunities at innovative companies in B.C.’s technology sector through the BCIC Innovator Skills Initiative and BC Tech Co-Op Grants Program. More information and specific eligibility criteria can be found at: www.bcic.ca/techworks

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Trish Fougner
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services
250 387-0172

BACKGROUNDER

Program details

BC Innovator Skills Initiative

The BCIC Innovator Skills Initiative, designed to create tech leaders, is delivered through BCIC’s technology industry partners. It bridges the innovation and entrepreneurial gap that is critical to enabling future business leaders.

Any B.C. start-up technology company can participate, and funds are available for the salaries of undergraduate or graduate students.

BC Tech Co-Op Grants Program

The BC Tech Co-Op Grants Program is designed for small tech businesses  and will be delivered in collaboration with co-op departments at B.C. public post-secondary institutions. It encourages student training and job readiness through work terms with small technology firms.

Small B.C. technology companies (with less than 50 employees) are able to participate. Funds are available to small technology firms to support first term co-op placements and/or to firms employing their first co-op student within the past five years (new employer).

Media Contacts:

Trish Fougner
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services
250 387-0172