SOUND OFF: Upskilling opens doors of opportunity for Kamloops tech workers

While just 38 per cent of workers believe that technological change will impact their job over the next three years, 50 per cent of employers see technological change as “the top factor that will drive changes in the way they create, deliver and capture value” in the next three years, according to data from PwC. While the thriving tech industry within the country is bright, the evolution of technology promises to transform the future of tech jobs across the board. Cybersecurity workers in Kamloops who entered the field 10-to-20 years ago, for instance, must take on skills that are relevant to today’s landscape in order to grow. This includes garnering skills that align with artificial intelligence (AI), automation and cloud security, to highlight just a few.

To further underline the rapid advancement taking place within the tech industry, it’s imperative to take into account where Canada fits in on a larger scale. Major tech firms are eyeing Toronto as a growing hub, with some experts calling it the next Silicon Valley in addition to Vancouver and Montreal, according to HRM America. In regard to the innovation and high-paying positions in the industry, which are noted to be the future of economies around the world, Colin Yasukochi, executive director of CBRE’s Tech Insights Center, stated, “That’s been going on for quite some time, tech hubs have grown and expanded across the world and Canada’s been a huge beneficiary because of its proximity to the U.S., and a lot of major U.S. companies have large presences in Canada.”

The power of upskilling

Tech giants are already taking initiative to keep their employees as the landscape evolves. One Forbes article notes that companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have pledged money and created programs in order to proactively upskill their workforces. In regard to what such efforts look like, it’s noted that Amazon’s upskilling and reskilling initiatives involve curriculum redevelopment, technical programs, tuition and e-learning certifications, to highlight a few key points.

Tech giants set a major example for tech companies in Kamloops and across Canada in regard to the value that upskilling can bring. Fifty-six per cent of Canadian businesses reported that their overall workforce was not fully proficient enough in order to perform their jobs at the required level in 2021, data from Statistics Canada points out. Indeed further goes on to point out that the prevalence of workforce skills gaps increased to nearly 74 per cent for small businesses. While it’s noted that this is the most prevalent in sectors such as accommodation and food services, those in tech can certainly benefit from upskilling. Tech Talent highlights the fact that many in the tech industry are upskilling in order to fuel their career trajectories due to a shift in the market. For instance, it’s noted that skilled professionals are sought after in order to meet the needs of startups and established companies, “particularly in cloud computing, software engineering, and artificial intelligence,” notes Bill Buckley, senior vice president of product and engineering for CloudZero, a Boston-based digital intelligence company.

Facilitating easy transitions in Kamloops

Digital upskilling can bring a competitive edge to Kamloops tech companies while providing a cost-effective alternative to recruitment and hiring new individuals. As such, tech managers in Kamloops can help workers upskill in a few key ways. Recognizing the difference between employee-led and business-led initiatives is just one effective way to get started with upskilling. Employee-led development programs, for example, involve individual development plans that can facilitate growth for employees. On the other hand, business-led programs tend to be more focused on what the business will need over the next year or two, notes founder of Amplify HR Karen Kirton.

The implementation of effective upskilling initiatives is equally as crucial as the consideration of initial strategies. Personalized learning paths and online training serve as just two valuable ideas that can help upskill employees, though it’s important to provide a continuous learning culture in the workplace as well. One Forbes article by Eric Friedman points out that a continuous learning culture encourages engagement among employees and can facilitate the development of new skills. Friedman goes on to suggest linking upskilling to career advancement and rewards in addition to the implementation of assessments and certifications in order to track productivity and improvement. Through the creation of a positive workplace atmosphere, employees can enjoy their time learning while seeing their hard work translate into real-world benefits.

The tech industry is an ever-evolving landscape, and with new technologies rapidly developing, the digital skills gap has become more than prevalent. When taking into consideration today’s landscape and the benefits of upskilling, tech managers in Kamloops can elevate the workforce through the creation of a positive workplace environment that facilitates learning.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Katlyn Eriksen

SOUND OFF: Upskilling opens doors of opportunity for Kamloops tech workers

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