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

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