Today, the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, along with the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) and techNL hosted a virtual event for high school students to educate them on the opportunities available in the technology and innovation sector of our province. This was the first in a series of similar engagements that will be led by government and industry with schools and youth to promote careers in technology.
The availability of skilled workers is essential for the growth of the province’s technology and innovation economy and the key to fueling the talent pipeline starts with the K-12 system. The goal of this initial session was to increase awareness among youth of the demand in the local tech sector and inform students that there are meaningful, well-paying jobs that will enable them to live and work right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Today’s virtual event took place via Google Meet with students from three schools: St. James’ Regional High, Channel-Port aux Basques; Valmont Academy, King’s Point; and Waterford Valley High, St. John’s.
The session included a representative to speak about the overall tech sector opportunities, employers to talk about the need for skilled workers and the innovative cultures of technology companies, and two young people who shared their experiences working in the tech sector. Students were given an opportunity to ask questions of the panel to encourage an energetic and engaging session.
Guest speakers included:
- Craig Rowe, Chair of the Board, techNL and CEO, ClearRisk
- Deirdre Ayre, Head of Operations and Director, Other Ocean Group Canada Ltd;
- Alex Wells, CNA student and past Verafin intern; and,
- Annie Skinner, Memorial University commerce student and intern at ClearRisk.
The Newfoundland and Labrador tech sector is estimated to exceed $1.6 billion, with approximately 165 companies and 6,500 employees. Demand is expected to exceed 2,000 new tech jobs over the next three years.
The Provincial Government is working in partnership with industry to ensure that this demand can be filled to enable companies to grow. Awareness of the demand in the local tech sector is key to ensuring that youth and parents can start planning early to take advantage of the opportunities.
Quotes
“The technology sector is a bright light in our province, with increasing demand for highly skilled roles. Through this partnership with techNL we will work to promote the many opportunities for tech skills in an innovation economy. Our government is fully committed to being a global talent leader.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
“For high school graduates, the technology and innovation sector is full of opportunities for a bright future in this province. Through this partnership with TechNL and the NLESD, we hope to highlight these opportunities for students across the province. I encourage any high school students who are considering their path after graduation to take a close look at what this industry has to offer in future career prospects.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education
“We are pleased to collaborate with government and industry partners to facilitate this opportunity for our students. The District has supported and promoted the expanded use of technology in recent years through a variety of learning opportunities. Our schools are leveraging digital to prepare students for the future and these opportunities will help to ensure they have a better understanding of current and future possibilities.”
Tony Stack
CEO/Director of Education, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
“The growth of the technology and innovation sector in our province has been tremendous. We have a unique recipe of talent, culture, creativity and work ethic that continue to build momentum, which has resulted in a major talent shortage – our companies are struggling to find the people needed to fuel their growth. Yet our youth in this province are not aware of this thriving sector and the opportunities available. We need our youth to know there are amazing opportunities here – you can stay, work, and thrive right here in Newfoundland and Labrador, working with incredible companies that sell around the world. Today’s session with high schools is one of a series of steps we are taking to engage youth and build the needed talent pipeline.
Paul Preston
CEO, techNL
“Raising awareness with youth, particularly girls and those who are marginalized, around the opportunities in technology and innovation should be a collective priority. The more skilled workers we have from differing backgrounds and perspectives, the better services and products our companies will produce. Our technology workforce needs to be bigger in number but it also can be better. Today’s call is a step in the right direction engaging with youth from different communities and highlighting the many career opportunities.”
Deirdre Ayre
Head of Operations and Director, Other Ocean Group Canada Ltd
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Learn More
News Release: Partnership Announced To Support Technology Career Pathway Programming in High Schools
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
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Media contacts
Lisa Lawlor
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5777, 631-8155
lisalawlor@gov.nl.ca
Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca
Cheryl Gullage
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
709-758-0032, 697-5856
cherylgullage@nlesd.ca
Marlayne Hardy
techNL
709-330-7122
marlayne@techNL.ca