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$27M Injected into Training and Upskilling to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Find Their Future in the Thriving Tech Sector

Published: February 24, 2023

The Find Your Future in Tech program will provide training and upskilling opportunities throughout the province, raise awareness about opportunities in the tech sector and reinforce NL’s technology ecosystem.

Newfoundland and Labrador, Feb 24, 2023 – Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Federal Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion joined techNL’s CEO Florian Villaumé and Jacqueline Lee, Chair of techNL’s Board of Directors to announce a substantial government investment of $27,172,355 to support technology training and upskilling education in the province.

Administered by techNL, a not-for-profit industry association that has represented the province’s technology sector for over 30 years, this funding will be used to train and upskill Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, with a focus on equity deserving groups. This extraordinary program is critical to the growth of the tech sector in the province. Private and public sectors, together with educational institutions are collaborating in groundbreaking ways to offer meaningful training and upskilling opportunities to continue to build and reinforce a robust technology sector here in our province. Equity-deserving groups will be prioritized to support diversity and the long-term success of the tech ecosystem across the province.

An awareness and recruitment campaign is also part of the program to demonstrate the breadth of opportunities that technology creates for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and to connect potential learners to the program. The campaign will connect with people who are considering future career options such as students and career pivotors as well as influencers – teachers, parents, coaches, mentors, and others – who are helping provide guidance to those who may have potential for a bright future in tech.

“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are going to lead the country in technology, and techNL, together with their partners, is the reason why,” says the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour. “The talent and skill they’re producing is exactly what our workforce needs, and what it will need in decades to come.”

“The importance of technology cannot be understated. Every industry and sector in this province is influenced by it and we are very excited to continue to build on this province’s already impressive tech sector,” says Florian Villaumé, CEO of techNL. “People from all backgrounds will access training and upskilling through the Find Your Future in Tech program. We are thankful to the federal government for this Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program funding, and also to the provincial government for their continuous support for the tech sector. Find Your Future in Tech will dispel the myths about the tech sector and inspire rewarding careers with limitless possibilities.”

“Technology is touching every sector here in our province and with a focus on digitalization, there is a growing need for qualified workers that are stable, well-paying and rewarding. It is our focus to ensure more people know about the opportunities and can access them – with a particular focus on supporting diverse, equity-deserving, and underrepresented groups. Find Your Future in Tech will fast-track the growth of the tech sector in Newfoundland and Labrador” shared Jacqueline Lee, Chair of techNL’s Board of Directors.

techNL is working with eleven partners including: Keyin College, Memorial University, ACENET, Ethree Consulting, Get-Coding, The Leap Method, Women in Resource Development Corporation, CoLab, Genoa Design, and SEM Ltd. Launching today and with staggered offerings running until March 2024, funded programs are available. Anyone interested in learning more, including the eligibility requirements from each of the partner organizations, can visit https://www.FindYourFutureNL.ca.