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  • The #BCTECH Strategy 2016

    Today, at the #BCTECH Summit Government launched the full #BCTECH Strategy, as a key step towards supporting the technology sector in British Columbia to reach its potential, create high-paying skilled jobs, and build a strong and thriving economy.

    This announcement reveals the final two pillars of the #BCTECH Strategy: deepening the B.C. talent pool, and making it easier to access markets. It builds on the foundation established with the creation of the $100 million BC Tech Fund, announced on Dec. 8th, which provides access to capital for promising tech companies.   Further details about today’s announcement are available on the #BCTECH Strategy website:  https://bctechstrategy.gov.bc.ca/

    The Strategy includes 50 actions the Province is taking to bolster our burgeoning tech sector, some highlights include:

    • Government has committed to ensure 25% of post-secondary’s operating grants are used for programs related to in-demand occupations including more focus on technology jobs;
    • B.C. Completion Grants for students completing programs related to the technology sector;
    • Hands-on experiences for students by ensuring new technology-related degree programs include co-operative education or work-integrated learning components;
    • New K-12 curriculum that will provide every student with the opportunity to learn coding by the end of Grade 9;
    • Funding for a foreign qualifications recognition project that will help new immigrants fit their skills into alternative, in-demand careers in B.C.’s technology sector;
    • Making it easier to sell to government though continued streamlining of procurement processes, modern procurement tools and collaborative approaches;
    • Improved reliability of high-speed internet access for northern and coastal communities;
    • Making it easier to find and use services offered by government that equip businesses to expand and sell to new markets.

    The technology sector has become a major engine of economic growth in British Columbia – no matter where you live in the province, or what you do, your life is affected by technology.

  • BC Tech Co-op Grants Program Helps Creative Sector

    As of February 1, 2016, the BC Tech Co-op Grants Program has been expanded to make it even easier for BC companies to hire a co-op student. The program has been extended to larger companies and more industries, for longer terms.

    The new program changes are:

    • The BC Tech Co-op Grant is available to BC tech companies with 99 employees or less (formerly it was less than 50 employees)
    • Non-profit organizations in the technology sector are now eligible.
    • Non-tech companies that hire a co-op student in a tech role are now eligible.
    • All grants are now valued at $2,700.
    • Companies can now get grants for subsequent terms for co-op students hired longer than 4 months, which was not possible before.
    • There’s no longer a limitation of two grants per company per term; companies are limited to 4 grants per year.

    The BC Tech Co-Op Grants Program is an initiative of the BC Innovation Council.  For more information, visit their website.  

    Still not sure if you qualify for a grant? Take a look at the infographic.