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IT Labour Disconnect: High Demand / Low Supply A Canadian Perspective

Canada faces a significant disconnect in the IT labor market characterized by high demand for skilled workers juxtaposed with a low supply of new talent. The Jodrey School of Computer Science outlines the pressing need for 125,000 to 175,000 ICT professionals by 2015, with many positions remaining unfilled due to retirements and low enrollment in computer science programs. This paper discusses potential reasons for this disconnect, including public awareness, cultural challenges, and demographic shifts, while proposing actionable solutions to boost recruitment and education in the ICT sector.

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IT Labour Disconnect: High Demand / Low Supply A Canadian Perspective

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  1. IT Labour Disconnect:High Demand / Low SupplyA Canadian Perspective Daniel L. Silver, Ph.D. Jodrey School of Computer Science Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada Jodrey School of Computer Science

  2. Outline • High Demand for Skilled Labour • Low Supply of New Talent • Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect Jodrey School of Computer Science

  3. High Demand for Skilled Labour Jodrey School of Computer Science

  4. High Demand (thousands) NORTEL Unemployment: ICT < 3.5%; National average of 6.5%. Source: Industry Canada website: Quarterly Monitor of the Canadian ICT Sector - Q2, 2008 Jodrey School of Computer Science

  5. Outlook – Even Higher Demand • ICTC Outlook 2008-2015 Report (Oct 30, 2008): • 125,000 to 175,000 ICT workers needed • 15,795 to 22,345 per year • 50% of hiring because of retirements • 40% Fed. IT workers eligible for retirement in 2008 • Half of all hires: • Systems analysts and software engineers • Computer programmers and interactive media developers • User support technicians Jodrey School of Computer Science

  6. Outlook – Even Higher Demand • From 2008 – 2015: • 7,200 university graduates per year needed (min.) • 5,100 domestic capacity (BSc, BEng) • 2,100 through immigration … students will pick their job! Workforce Requirements Source: ICTC 2008-15 Outlook October 2008 Jodrey School of Computer Science

  7. Most needed ICT talent inCanada? 37% of sector = 700,000 jobs in 2008 (Data from Feb, 2006) Source: ICTC 2008-15 Outlook October 2008 Jodrey School of Computer Science

  8. Graduates 40% 2002 2005 1998 Low Supply of New Talent Canadian IT Being Off-shored !

  9. Low Supply – Just in a cycle? Change in Enrollment in North America Source: CRA Jodrey School of Computer Science

  10. Low Supply – Just in a cycle?Change in Enrollment in Nova Scotia A Community College Three Universities Jodrey School of Computer Science

  11. So … Why the Disconnect? • Potential Reasons • Proposed Solutions Jodrey School of Computer Science

  12. Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • Lack of Public Awareness of Problem • Since 2003 media has focused on IT bust • Most recently Nortel, Bell, Intel, MS layoffs • Public unaware of IT impact on economic future • Solutions: • ICTC, ITANS, CIPS, ACM, CRA mounting campaigns • Require industry & gov’t involvement and funding Jodrey School of Computer Science

  13. Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • Cultural Challenges • What does a computer scientist do? Youth, parents, teachers know little about IT careers • Few role models – Geek image dominates • Few girls interested • Solutions: • Robotic / Programming competitions & mentoring • School councilor & teacher workshops • Out the “Closet Geeks” / Women in IT associations Jodrey School of Computer Science

  14. ICTC Awareness Campaign Jodrey School of Computer Science

  15. Jodrey School of Computer Science

  16. Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • High School Educational Challenges • CS is part of Tech. Ed. and not Science curriculum • Mathematics has not been a priority in Canada • Typically one CS course / Few trained educators • Solutions: • Offer 1st year Intro CS courses to high schools • Accept students based on challenge exams • Offer Cert. / Masters in Math and CS Education • Seed & feed CS teacher association Jodrey School of Computer Science

  17. Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • Demographic Challenges • Youth population growth in Canada is declining • Solutions: - Viagra, International recruitment • Industry Disincentives: • “3-5 years experience” on job adverts • Only 25% of ICT sector is women • Solutions: - Apprentice program tax incentives • Priority: Immigrate high quality female talent Jodrey School of Computer Science

  18. Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • University CS Department Challenges • Curricula need revision • CIPS endorsing applied CS curriculum • Need for more scholarship funding • Solutions: • Listen to your Industrial Advisory Board • Computer Science plus Domain X • Engage alumni in scholarship campaign Jodrey School of Computer Science

  19. Thank You!cs.acadiau.cadanny.silver@acadiau.ca Jodrey School of Computer Science

  20. What is Computer Science? • What is a computer scientist? • Will I have to grow fuzzy hair? • What does s/he do? • Will I have to sit in front of a computer all day? • What kind of people will I work with? • Will I become a geek nerd? Jodrey School of Computer Science

  21. What is a Computer Scientist? • Designs computers and the computer software • Develops information technologies for application in business and industry • Tackles complex problems • Often working in groups • Loves to innovate, create solutions • Loves to learn – changing , exciting field • Good concentration and attention to detail • Methodical, logical, good communication skills  Project leadership and managerial positions Jodrey School of Computer Science

  22. What are employers looking for? • Core technical skills (CS, Datacom) • Experience with domain applications and computing platforms • Experience with specific business processes to which ICT is a solution • Great communications • Great team‐work skills Jodrey School of Computer Science

  23. Q/A and Discussion Jodrey School of Computer Science

  24. Why is this Happening? What are the Challenges? • Lack of public awareness of problem • Since 2003 media has focused on IT bust • Most recently Nortel, Bell, Intel, MS layoffs • Public unaware of IT impact on economic future • Cultural challenges • What does a computer scientist do? • Youth, parents, teachers know little about diverse IT careers • Career paths not well understood • Few good role models – popular media dominates • Geek/Nerd – white, male, not cool • Closet Geeks abound in high schools • Few girls interested • High School Educational problems • Computer science is part of Tech.Ed. curriculum • Typically only one programming course offered • Mathematics has not been a priority • Few trained CS educators in schools • Teachers & councilors know little about ICT sector • Demographic problems • Population growth in Canada is declining • Fewer high school graduates • Industry disincentives • “3-5 years experience” on job adverts • Few women in ICT sector • University challenges • Curriculums need revision • CIPS endorsing computer science plus X • Need for more scholarship funding Jodrey School of Computer Science

  25. But Are There Job Opportunities? • MYTH: • The DOT com crash in early 2000s killed all IT jobs … • There is no career in IT • TRUTH: • There are more jobs than ever before in IT • Demand is high / Supply is low • Diversity of careers is amazing !! Jodrey School of Computer Science

  26. A Landscape of Opportunity Small Systems Admin. and Support System Installation and Technical Support CS + Application area X Interdisciplinary Specializations Programming Computer Science Project Management Programming Software Development System Analyst/Design Technical Expert Research Jodrey School of Computer Science

  27. Low Supply and High Demand

  28. Low Supply and High Demand

  29. Where are the ICT Jobs in NS? Source: NSCC Survey of Nova Scotia’s Information Technology Industry, June 2008 Jodrey School of Computer Science

  30. An Optimistic Future in NS for IT! Source: NSCC Survey of Nova Scotia’s Information Technology Industry, June 2008 Jodrey School of Computer Science

  31. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home Jodrey School of Computer Science

  32. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home Jodrey School of Computer Science

  33. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home Jodrey School of Computer Science

  34. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home Jodrey School of Computer Science

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