Embracing the next wave of tech innovation in British Columbia
It’s clear that BC’s tech industry is booming—bouncing back from the slowdown that followed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, with over 11,000 tech companies employing more than 250,000 British Columbians. Not only are tech professionals across the province feeling confident about moving up the career ladder, many people outside the tech industry are now looking to get involved in the field.
What lots of people don’t know is that BC’s tech industry isn’t just one thing. In fact, it’s an entire ecosystem that needs all kinds of people to make it run. That means you don’t need to have a tech degree to get your career on the fast-track to success in BC’s busy tech boom, because right now, people with all kinds of career backgrounds—from servers and bartenders to customer service reps and hospitality staff—are working to get ahead in tech.
The region’s proximity to major tech hubs, its highly skilled workforce, and a supportive business environment have fostered an environment popping with innovation and business expansion. So the question is, what’s the best way to get your foot in the door?
Get on board with upskilling
BC’s tech sector has been experiencing remarkable growth, creating numerous opportunities for great careers. In this rapidly evolving landscape, one success strategy has emerged as a game-changer: Upskilling. It’s a fancy word, but what does it really mean?
Upskilling means acquiring new skills or enhancing existing ones to stay relevant and competitive in the job market. In the context of BC’s tech industry, upskilling has become an invaluable tool for professionals from different backgrounds who are excited about pursuing opportunities, expanding their knowledge base, and unlocking new routes to success.
Stay ahead of technological change
So why is upskilling so important? One reason is that it helps people connect quickly to technological change. In tech sales, and especially in what is called business-to-business (B2B) tech sales, staying current with the latest advancements is vital.
Whether it’s the application of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, or mobile app development, things change fast. That’s why intensive upskilling bootcamps are a great way to stay ahead of the curve.
Transition into a lucrative career in tech sales
Upskilling can help people transition to the tech industry, regardless of whether they have a tech degree or not. That’s because upskilling isn’t just about learning apps and software. When it comes to the people selling critical tech solutions for business, professionals need to constantly improve and enhance the way they connect with customers. And on the way, people learn to develop what are called soft and transferable skills.
These key human skills run the gamut from creativity and empathy, all the way to leadership and time management. They are all critical to sales success but are often overlooked, or difficult to identify. A great tech sales upskilling boot camp gives people the opportunity to improve and enhance these skills, while showing how they fit into the landscape of career success.
Choose the right upskilling program for you
Choosing the right upskilling program is essential to ensure success. Look for a program that is employer-led, so you can be sure to get the practical knowledge you need to get ahead in the industry. Great upskilling programs help you network with industry leaders to secure your career, connecting you to potential clients. You’ll also meet like-minded people who can help nurture your career and give you guidance when you need it.
Whether it’s through coaching, attending workshops, seminars, or industry events, your upskilling experience will help you build a supportive and inspiring alumni network that will guide you through a journey that can be life changing.
How far can you go? Meet Elena
Elena Grebenyuk is just one example of how far a person can go with the right upskilling program, and it’s a remarkable story. Elena is originally from the Ukraine, but ended up travelling and studying in different parts of Europe with a focus on learning and teaching languages. She began teaching languages online while in New Zealand, and was making plans to return to her home country when the Russian invasion of her country began.
“I needed a plan B,” Elena told us. “I thought I’d go to Canada, but at the same time, I realized that teaching languages online just wasn’t stable enough.”
Elena started getting interested in tech, not only because of her experience teaching languages online, but also, as she told us, “because the industry is changing all the time, and that was really interesting to me.”
Just before moving to Canada, someone in her network referred her to the SalesCamp program from Palette Skills. “So long story short, I arrived in Vancouver in April last year, and eight days after I was already enrolled in SalesCamp.”
It was a great fit from the get-go. Elena tells us that the program was challenging, but that she appreciated the challenge. “It was fun as well, because I loved the group. I connected with so many from our group and I’m still in touch with quite a few of them. I loved the activities, and I loved how interactive it was. I love that it was not only theory, which is something you can find anywhere, but that it was also very engaging.”
And now? Not only is Elena a busy business development representative (BDR) herself, she is also one of the founders of Vancouver’s Tech2Step, a weekly social gathering event for professionals in the tech industry to mingle, network, share experiences, and have fun.
Palette Skills and SalesCamp
Palette Skills is a national nonprofit dedicated to developing employer-led upskilling programs that result in high demand jobs in growing industries. Our vision is a Canada where all people and organizations thrive as the result of a globally competitive and inclusive economy, and we know that one of the best ways to make this happen is by building skills to future-proof Canadian business and workers.
That’s the motivation behind our flagship B2B tech sales upskilling program SalesCamp. With over 500 participants graduated already, SalesCamp alumni have transitioned careers and have been hired by companies all across Canada. SalesCamp is built for people with all kinds of different life and career backgrounds who are looking to make a dedicated career change.
Participants learn sales foundations, lead qualification, objection handling, sales strategies and tactics, consultative sales methodology, as well as customer relationship building, alongside 1:1 mentorship and career coaching, and networking opportunities with employers who are ready to hire.
Elena’s story shows—along with the stories of hundreds of other SalesCamp participants—that upskilling is more than just training. Upskilling is about gaining the professional acumen needed to succeed in a new industry, and successfully navigate the job search and interview process to land a new role. It’s also about making a great change in your life, and your career.
If you’re considering a career shift into tech sales in BC or Ontario, then now is the time to apply to the SalesCamp program from Palette Skills. Visit Palette Skills’ website to find out more and start your application to SalesCamp here!
Leave a Reply