Four computer science students from Thompson Rivers University are taking part in this year's internship program with BCLC (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

BCLC INTERNSHIP

As Kamloops tech sector grows, TRU students help develop apps for BCLC

Dec 13, 2019 | 12:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — Technology is a growing industry in Kamloops, a trend that isn’t lost on the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

For the second year, BCLC, in conjunction with Thompson Rivers University, is offering an internship program that gives computer science students job experience.

This year, students are working out the kinks on a couple of new apps. One of them would allow players to choose their own lotto numbers right on their phones.

“The digital selection slip is to let players build tickets and bundles on their phone that generates barcodes they can go scan at retail to streamline the process of buying a lottery ticket at retail,” said TRU student Bronwen Evans.

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Evans is one of four co-op students working with BCLC and its Technology Innovation Lab.

“It’s an opportunity for students at local universities like TRU to come and be able to work within a business environment and apply the skill they’ve been learning in their technology programs to real-world business applications,” said BCLC Chief Information Officer Pat Davis.

The eight-month internship program, which launched in 2018, is coinciding with the growth in the tech sector in Kamloops.

Research conducted this year by TRU professor Dr. Laura Lamb and Nicole Bruce from Venture Kamloops indicates the city is becoming more attractive for tech companies because of its affordability, strong tech infrastructure, and proximity to Vancouver.

The lottery corporation is working to fulfill the need for more workers in the industry.

“We really believe these types of internships, where students are really allowed to understand and leverage their skills, allow us to create a pipeline that really will build a broader and more robust technology community in Kamloops,” said Davis.

For the students, the opportunity to work hands-on with such a large tech company has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“For me, it’s been an amazing experience. It’s been incredible. There are not many co-ops where you get to work in a team of co-op students building prototypes,” noted Evans.

The hope is the two apps being developed will go live one day, but BCLC says they would have to go through a rigorous process before being approved.