Today Invest Vancouver announced a new high tech workforce development initiative in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to prepare thousands of B.C. residents for well-paying jobs in the region’s growing tech sector.
Metro Vancouver will be the first region in Canada to introduce the regional training initiative that is based on a successful AWS program currently running across 100 community colleges through the California Cloud Workforce program.
The new program aims to connect learners with affordable and accessible training in careers that are at low risk of automation and in high demand by industries that will be driving the region’s economy, such as cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity and data analytics.
“Invest Vancouver identified a gap between high-tech sector employers seeking to fill positions and qualified candidates looking for work within the region, but there are barriers that keep people from entering the industry and upgrading their existing skills,” said Sav Dhaliwal, Chair of the Invest Vancouver Management Board and the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors.
“One key solution is to offer coordinated and equitable access to existing training at secondary, post-secondary and non-profit institutions that aligns with the evolving needs of industry. This new collaboration does just that.”
AWS is supporting the program by offering resources such as access to AWS education programs, job skills mapping for relevant cloud-based jobs, as well as professional development for educators, curriculum collaboration, and free AWS account credits for students.
“Creating education-to-employment alignment is a key objective of both AWS and Invest Vancouver, who will collaborate to promote this opportunity in the Metro Vancouver region,” said Coral Kennett, head of educational programs for AWS Canada, based in Vancouver.
“My team looks forward to working hand-in-hand with Invest Vancouver, secondary and post-secondary institutions, industry and non-profits to address the gap in cloud education and provide targeted education opportunities.”
The new program will launch initially in the region with select post-secondary and non-profit institutions, starting with BCIT.
Invest Vancouver is a Techcouver community partner.
Leave a Reply