Technology in the world has grown exponentially over the past years and is projected to grow even more. The world has moved towards an economy that heavily relies on technology.
Canada has positioned itself as an ideal place to do business and invest in. It enjoys a state of political, social, and economic stability as compared to other regions in the world. Canada has in the recent past committed to offering working closely with immigrant workers to fill the rising demand in the IT sector. Immigrants provide additional and skilled workforce leading to creative innovations and solutions to technology in Canada. It’s also becoming a great choice among technologically skilled immigrants.
It’s increasingly being identified as a haven for tech companies and investors both regionally and internationally.
Most investors and firms, private and public are on considering Canada over other regions. Many organizations in Canada are also moving toward cloud computing. Canada is offering an exceptional environment to work in, spread or expand businesses and even relocate to. Toronto and Montreal just to mention a few cities, for instance, are leading in the tech market in Canada. They are fast becoming hubs for new technologies and talents. These cities are being considered over Silicon Valley. This has made the tech market in Canada more vibrant and competitive.
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Immigration and its impact on the Canadian tech market
Canada has remained determined to welcome immigrants and refugees as compared to other European countries. Canada has a history built on immigrants. 21.9 percent of Canada’s population are non-immigrants hence its commitment to welcoming immigrants. Beyond this history, Canada needs this population increase to grow economically and also deal with a shortage in the workforce. Fewer workers mean less productivity thus less GDP.
It’s worth noting that most workers being admitted in Canada are majorly skilled. They thus bring skills and investments in different sectors. Also, Technology as a major benefactor.
Immigrants ensure that the market is steadily supplied with a skilled workforce. They fill gaps that are viable in the tech market.
Their diversity and multiculturalism have made the tech market unique in its innovations.
This diversity has made Canada the first consideration of firms wishing to invest in other countries.
How is this impacting on the tech market in Canada?
Manufacturing, health, transport, construction, communication among other sectors have seen more acceleration towards technology. The rapid rate in inventions has made Canada harness smart and clean technology to increase efficiency.
With the boom Canada is experiencing technologically, Canada is creating a friendly working environment to encouraging tech-related talents and investments. Waterloo and Toronto, for instance, have been identified as training hubs for budding tech experts. Google and Facebook are some companies that have set base in Canada. What does this mean to Canadians and immigrants?
- Increase in employment opportunities. There is a boom in the number of tech jobs in cities and other regions in Canada. With the huge growth in the tech market in Canada, demand for skilled tech experts and other workers is on the rise. Emerging technological skills in areas like robotics, virtual reality and machine have seen a surge in demand of workers.
- Companies are in search of more software engineers, system and database analysts, consultants, administrators and technicians in diverse sectors to fill tech occupations. With more industries shifting to technology, more opportunities for employment are created.
- Improved standards of living, with the increase in employment opportunities this means better pay hence a better quality of life. Canadians and other workers are assured of better living standards.
- Improvement in educational standards
This is evident by the number of people especially women attaining degrees in science technology and software engineering among other tech-related courses. There has been an increase in the growth of STEM industries.
Tech spaces in other cities and mid-sized markets
It’s not only the major cities in Canada that offer a competitive scene for opportunities in technology. Other regions are emerging. Established and startup companies understand that there is still a lot of untapped and unexploited talent in these areas.
Companies are investing in other regions apart from just the major cities to attract more talent. These markets are becoming vibrant. The cities are collaborating with the government and other relevant stakeholders to stand out. They are creating their hubs and incubators to be able to attract talents and attention from other players, both large and small.
Technology is a fast-changing industry and how they operate. This has also changed how work is done and the time is taken to perform them.
Transport has been impacted significantly by tech-driven infrastructure, collection of information from different platforms, disaster and responses to emergencies, and so much more.
Opportunities in the tech industry in Canada
According to CRIB help wanted a report of 2019, more than 400,000 jobs in the private sectors needed to be filled. This included the tech sector. Careers in the tech industry in Canada are lucrative as employers are facing shortages in a skilled workforce. Startups and established tech firms are rapidly rising. The rise in industries that are shifting from the traditional production of products and services has seen an increase in tech-related jobs
The following are some jobs high in demand in Canada’s tech market according to research done by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s Help Wanted Report (CRIB).
- Information technology managers
- Business intelligence analysts
- Cloud system engineers
- Data analysts
- Software developers
- Web developers
- Security professionals in data information and cloud system.
- IT specialists.
- Full-stack developers
What are some of the skills in high demand in Canada’s tech industry?
Apart from possessing skills in java, JavaScript Linux, SQL, python just to mention a few skills in IT to be competitive in the tech market the following are some certificates that come in handy as per the report done by CRIB and supported by rand-stad.ca
- Certificate in information systems security
- AWS certified solutions architect
- Cisco certified network associate
- IT service management
- M-CS: Cloud platform and infrastructure
- IT infrastructure library
- Microsoft certified solutions experts
How the tech is contributing to the economy of Canada
Technology is playing a vital role in the Canadian economy. It’s growing fast as compared to the other sectors. It’s providing well-paying jobs to citizens and other immigrants.
Computers, industrial machinery, vehicles, vehicle spares, and telecommunication equipment are some of the major exports of Canada. These exports are highly dependent on technology for production. This is making it easier for the production of goods as it’s fast and more efficient. Technology-based both small and medium companies are becoming an integral part of diving Gross Domestic Products (GDP) for Canada. These companies are creating jobs through innovations that drive other sectors of the economy. Many startups and existing businesses and companies are advancing in technology to enable Canada to compete globally.
Canadian tech firms are attracting huge capital investments accelerating growth in market opportunities and profitability. The increase in tech startups is a clear indication of the potential in profitability in the future.
What is the government doing to support the tech market in Canada?
Any government has a central role in firms investing in their nations or not investing. They directly influence investments through the policies or regulations they have in place. The Canadian government is working with Canadians and other multinational tech companies in ensuring that more skilled immigrants are brought by shortening visa approvals and easily availing work permits to them.
It has also included a budget to deal comprehensively with talent and skill identification to create Canada a preferred world-class place of innovation. The government is committed to attracting the best talents to Canada and make Canada more competitive. The Canadian government is funding technology by funding or giving grants to programs that spur tech innovation and related industrial growth. Businesses that innovate products and services are funded and follow-ups are done to make them successful. T
This is done to encourage firms to invest in technological innovations and advancements. With huge firms like Amazon setting base in Canada, the government is assured that the country will transform into a huge nation of innovations in the future.
What’s the future of Canada’s tech market?
Technological advancement will in the future put a strain on Canada’s capability to meet the highly increasing demand for tech skilled workers. There is a projected increase in the growth of smart marketplaces meaning more jobs that will need to be filled in the tech sector. The country will have to outsource talent to meet this demand as the homegrown talent will not be able to meet this demand. By 2025, the health tech sector and companies dealing with clean-tech will have doubled. This is according to a report from Canada’s Strategy Tables: Clean Technology.
New startups will increasingly emerge and more smart technologies will be innovated both in the hospitality, transport and agricultural sectors.
Conclusion
The Canadian is a diverse and welcoming as seen by the many international firms that have set base in it. Its stability as a nation is a contributing factor in the increased investment in it. Laws on immigration favor new and diverse innovations in the technological sector.
The tech market in Canada is a consideration for individuals seeking to pursue, grow and advance their technological professions. It’s an investment destination for both immigrants and locals seeking. Having Canadians trained to deal with these shortages will be important for the country to maintain its competitiveness in the global stage.