Job growth in the tech industry is propelling Alberta forward

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Canada’s tech sector employment is expected to continue on the upward trajectory it has experienced so far in 2022, including in Alberta and the Edmonton metropolitan area.

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The Information Technology Industry Association’s State of the Tech Workforce Outlook in Canada estimates that total tech employment across the country will increase by 1.5% during 2021 to reach 1,254,708 workers during 2022. According to the annual report, Alberta’s tech employment will increase by 743 to a total of 99,533 during 2022, placing it fourth in Canada behind Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

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Job gains in tech employment in 2022 are projected to total 432 in Edmonton, surpassing Calgary’s increase of 219.

A 2022 report from the Information and Communications Technology Council of Canada (ITCT) predicts that technology employment will drive the province into the future. A Resilient Recovery: Alberta’s Digital-Led Post-COVID Future by researchers and co-authors Alexandra Cutean, Mairead Matthews, and Mansharn Toor says that despite the impact the pandemic had on Alberta’s economy, “the province’s digital economy has remained resilient and prospered.

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The report predicts that four sub-sectors could deliver significant job gains in the province in the coming years, including fintech, health tech, clean tech and ag tech.

However, the report warns that job growth could be hampered by a shortage of skilled workers, including “brain drain” of people attracted to jobs in other jurisdictions.

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“The degree of competition for skilled workers has only amplified in recent months, as other sectors recover or begin to implement technology in their daily operations,” the report’s authors write.

Several people interviewed for the report in Edmonton said retaining recent post-secondary tech graduates is a challenge facing local employers, which may stem from a misconception that there aren’t enough Edmonton-based tech companies to work for. The report’s authors say that employers in the Edmonton region suggest the need for greater collaboration between industry, governments and academia to meet future employment needs.

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The Alberta government’s Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy, which calls for adding 20,000 new tech jobs by 2030, includes the Building Skills for Jobs initiative. This initiative aims to boost access to post-secondary education and help attract, develop, grow and retain Alberta’s tech talent pool.

“We must do everything we can to ensure Alberta’s youth develop the skills, knowledge and competencies they need to pursue successful and rewarding careers in today’s economy,” Minister for Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides said following the announcement of The initiative.

This story was created by Content Works, the commercial content division of Postmedia.