Canada’s information, communications and technology sector (ICT) faces dramatic labour shortages within the next five years, creating new opportunities for skilled workers from the UK with the right combination of ICT and management expertise.
A new study by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) and the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) has found that Canadian employers will need to hire an estimated 106,000 ICT workers over the next five years.
The study found that in most regions in Canada, demand for most ICT occupations will far exceed supply. Employers will encounter ‘systemic shortages’ when recruiting for ICT jobs requiring five or more years’ experience.
“The potential skills and labour shortage crisis has been identified as one of the most defining issues facing the ICT sector in Canada today,” said Bernard Courtois, President and CEO of ITAC.
Information systems analysts and consultants - the largest ICT occupation in Canada - will continue to drive the demand, but a changing job market will favour those at management level with marketing, accounting and finance competencies.
The results also found a radically different job market emerging for ICT in Canada, with an emphasis on technical skills (for example, systems analysis and design) combined with marketing, operations management and HR management.
People with specific domain experience (such as e-health, e-finance and digital media) combined with ICT expertise would also be in demand.
More Information
- Talk to employers and recruiters about starting a new life in Canada at Opportunities Canada Expo
- Learn more about getting a Canadian visa at www.workingin-canada.com]