(flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Nova Pierson

Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training
nova.pierson@gov.bc.ca
250 208-2743

Kimberly Kelly

ASTTBC
kkelly@asttbc.org
604 346-6160

Stephanie Hollingshead

HR Tech Group
shollingshead@hrtechgroup.com
604 562-8356

Backgrounders

Increasing diversity in applied science and engineering sectors
  • In collaboration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of British Columbia, the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC aims to increase the number of women in the applied science and engineering sectors closer to 30% representation by 2030, aligned with Engineer Canada’s 30 by 30 national initiative.
  • Provincial and regional strategies include:
    • career fairs focused on women;
    • employer diversity and inclusion workshops and professional development for HR professionals focused on recruitment, retention and career advancement for women in the sector; and
    • excellence-recognition award programs.
  • Key components of the HR Tech Group project include building a shared Diversity and Inclusion Resource Hub, delivering diversity and inclusion training, and video campaigns that will showcase diversity and build awareness of tech as a strong career choice for women, Indigenous peoples, newcomers and people with diverse abilities.
  • The 2017 research report by HR Tech Group, Diversity & Inclusion in the BC Tech Sector, found that groups under-represented in the sector include:
    • women (15% to 20% of the tech workforce);
    • Indigenous peoples (less than 1%); and
    • people with disabilities (less than 1%).
  • B.C.’s Labour Market Outlook projects 82,300 job openings in science, technology, engineering and math by 2028.
  • This tech-intensive industry is projected to have total of over 100,000 job openings over the next 10 years, including 42,000 tech jobs. The professional, scientific and technical services industry also employs a range of non-tech occupations.
  • B.C.’s tech sector consists of more than 10,500 companies and employs an estimated 114,000 people.
World-class class tech talent

Students throughout British Columbia will have more opportunities to pursue good-paying jobs in B.C.’s booming tech industry, which will help to ensure the province’s employers have access to more homegrown talent.

  • B.C. is adding more tech spaces, launching a graduate student scholarship fund and providing awards to inspire a new generation of women to pursue tech careers.
  • An additional 2,900 tech-related spaces are expected to produce 1,000 additional tech grads a year by 2023. To support these new spaces, the Province plans to increase its investment up to a steady state of $42 million a year in ongoing funding.
  • A $12-million, merit-based graduate scholarship fund will support 800 awards of $15,000 so graduate students can focus on their studies, not the costs.
  • Women in Tech scholarships are available through the Irving K. Barber Scholarship Society, British Columbia, for women studying computer science, math or engineering, to increase their participation in the sector. The society awards 10 scholarships annually to recognize women who excel in the study of computer/data science, engineering or mathematics at the post-secondary level. At least one of these scholarships is dedicated to a woman of Indigenous ancestry.
  • Plans include working with public post-secondary institutions and other partners to advance technology and innovation centres in key areas of the B.C. economy.

Media Contacts

Nova Pierson

Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training
nova.pierson@gov.bc.ca
250 208-2743