Strengthening Canada’s talent advantage in a global digital economy

The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), Ottawa, has announced its partnership with Microsoft Canada to help develop a national digital talent strategy for Canada.

“We are very pleased to partner with Microsoft Canada to develop a national digital talent strategy for Canada,” says Namir Anani, president and CEO of ICTC. “We are at a critical juncture of economic growth, civic participation, and global positioning enabled by emerging technologies. Heightening Canada’s digital talent advantage in a hyper-connected economy will be paramount in ensuring Canada’s competitive advantage in the coming years.”

Technology’s ability to close the opportunity divide and empower a high performing economy is essential, especially in an increasingly global and highly competitive environment. Demographic shifts, global competition, evolving consumer habits and expectations, among many other complex factors, are transforming how businesses operate and how Canadians participate in public and civic life. The key to ensuring that Canada is set up for success is to ensure that there skilled talent to drive innovation and competiveness, as entrepreneurs or as part of the workforce.

“We are pleased to support the ICTC’s development of a national digital talent strategy for Canada,” adds Janet Kennedy, president of Microsoft Canada. “Microsoft believes that technology holds tremendous opportunity for Canadians and will continue to work with Canadian youth, businesses, and governments to build a more innovative, prosperous and safer Canada.”

The national digital talent strategy is expected to be released at the end of January 2016. The report will contextualize Canada’s digital landscape and labour market needs by 2020, and propose policies and programs to develop Canada’s digital talent as a comparative advantage in the global economy. This initiative will leverage ICTC’s extensive research, programs, and consultations with leaders from industry, education, and policy makers across Canada.

ICTC is a not-for-profit national center of expertise for the digital economy. Through trusted research, innovative talent solutions, and practical policy advice, ICTC fosters innovative and globally competitive Canadian industries empowered by a talented and diverse digital workforce.