This morning, Minister Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training announced a significant tech-programming expansion at post-secondary institutions across the province.
“We’re helping students in British Columbia by improving access to education with thousands more tech spaces that include degree, diploma and certificate programs,” said Mark. “Our vibrant tech sector supports good-paying jobs, like computer programmers, engineers and information system analysts. We are investing millions of dollars in the future creators of an innovative, strong and sustainable 21st-century economy.”
British Columbia will add about 2,900 tech-related public post-secondary spaces, 300 of which are designated to the BCIT.
“These additional post-secondary spaces are an investment in BC students across the province who are eager to enter our growing tech industry, and to BC-based businesses who are hungry for skilled talent,” said BCIT President Kathy Kinloch. “Through applied, hands-on learning, BCIT students are gaining the knowledge they’ll need to embrace our digital economy and drive sustainable innovation.”
BCIT will welcome new spaces in high-enrolled programs like the Computer Information Technology and New Media Design diplomas. These program expansions are in direct response to industry demand and business trend analysis.
“When we talk about computing, we’re talking about so much more than software development,” said Bethany Edmunds, BCIT Associate Dean, School of Computing and Academic Studies. “Technology isn’t just a sector – it’s an integral part of every industry – which is why BCIT takes a multidisciplinary approach to technology education.”
BCIT is also developing new programs focused on bridging the gaps between computing and more traditional sectors like system control, health, and arts.
“The talent pool in British Columbia and our partnerships with institutions like BCIT has played a critical role in the growth of Fortinet from a start-up to the global leader in high-performance cybersecurity,” said Derek Manky, global security strategist at Fortinet. “Fortinet is excited to see the province and BCIT continue to invest in the development of highly skilled technology talent that is increasingly critical to Canada’s successful transition to a digital economy.”
About 83,400 tech-related job openings in B.C. – such as computer programmers, information system analysts and software engineers — are expected by 2027.
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For more information, media are asked to contact Jocelyne Leszczynski, BCIT Media and Communications Specialist at 604.432.8306