Ottawa, Ont., February 20, 2024 – Today, the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is announcing the launch of the program Beyond the Cloud: Powering Next-Generation Canadian Digital Infrastructure. Beyond the Cloud is powered by Upskill Canada and is part of the first wave of partnership agreements that are taking an industry-oriented approach to supporting Canadian workers. These agreements will help thousands of workers find new careers through skills training and job placement in some of the fastest-growing industries in Canada.
ICTC’s Beyond the Cloud program addresses a growing shortage of skilled individuals in the rapidly evolving Canadian digital economy. The program will provide industry-relevant, unique, and personalized upskill training for in-demand digital infrastructure roles to 500 selected individuals across Canada. These roles include Cloud Engineers, Cloud Architects, Cloud Administrators, DevOps, Back-End Developers, Network Administrators, and Database Administrators. The training consists of three mandatory technical skills courses, soft skills training, a work-integrated learning project, optional technical and soft skills courses, as well as job search support. The first training cohort begins March 1, 2024.
Supported by funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) Upskilling for Industry Initiative, more than 15,000 Canadian workers will benefit from an innovative approach to skills training. Central to the Upskill Canada initiative is the role of community training providers, who work closely with local and national employers to identify precise suites of skills being sought by industry. Equipping workers with these skills will create new career pathways for Canadians and better position Canadian companies to compete both domestically and internationally.
Quick Facts
- ICTC is a trusted advisor and a reliable delivery partner with the mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy.
- For over 30 years, our work has focused on forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses.
- Our diverse team of over 100 employees comprises economists, labour market specialists, technologists, social scientists, workforce solutions providers, enterprise development experts, communications and media specialists, operational and financial management experts, and policy solutions strategists.
- ICTC is a fully bilingual organization in French and English that partners with a vast network of industry leaders, policymakers, and academic institutions.
- Across 36 different initiatives, we’ve provided opportunities to 118,186 people for upskilling, reskilling, and on-the-job training in the digital economy.
- Since 2017, 23,084 university students have secured placements with Canadian employers through our programs.
Quotes
“We’re so proud to formally launch Upskill Canada with our inaugural class of workers and training service providers. This is a big first step – but it’s only the beginning. We’re looking forward to working with our supporters in government and industry to upskill many more Canadians, so they can transition into high-demand roles in the modern workforce – and help fast-growing companies achieve their full potential.”
– Rhonda Barnet, CEO of Palette Skills, which was chosen by ISED to run the Upskill Canada initiative
“In an era where technological advancements are reshaping industries, upskilling talent for cloud services is not just a strategic move but a necessity for Canadian businesses to stay competitive in the global market. We are delighted to partner with Upskill Canada on this initiative to empower Canadian professionals with the skills required for navigating the cloud landscape, fostering innovation, driving economic growth, while gaining new employment prospects.”
—Namir Anani, ICTC President & CEO
To learn more, visit https://paletteskills.org/upskillcanadaprograms.
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, and with a team of 110 experts, we have delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. Our goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation and that Canada’s workforce remains competitive on a global scale.
To learn more, visit https://www.ictc-ctic.ca/
About Upskill Canada
Upskill Canada is a national talent platform that helps fast-growing companies access the talent they need to compete and succeed globally while creating new career pathways for workers to rapidly transition into high-demand roles. Upskill Canada will target all regions of the country and support Canadian-based employers, with a particular focus on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will focus on strengthening key growth sectors, including digital technology, cybersecurity, agricultural technology, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and biomanufacturing.
Media Contact
Paul Stastny, Communications Officer, ICTC, p.stastny@ictc-ctic.ca tel. 613) 237-8551 ext. 823
A French-language version of this press release is here.