IT crunch looms; computer programs must produce more graduates

 

In October of last year, the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) reported that: “Canadian governments, banks, insurance companies and technology companies will likely need to fill a staggering 89,000 technology positions in the next three to five years.”

So why are so many College and University information technology (IT) programs’ enrolment levels still not increasing? Industry experts agree that the exposure received by the dot-com bust and global outsourcing to countries like India changed the career paths of many IT hopefuls, however, they feel the message that the IT market is heating up again isn’t getting out to parents, guidance counselors, and high school students.

Tycho Black, the Coordinator of Computer Studies at Sault College, states: “It is critical that we dispel the myths about careers in IT because the declining enrolment means not enough graduates are coming out of the system to fill demand.”

Mr. Black is not the only one concerned about the IT shortage and aware of the opportunities in IT careers for intelligent, motivated young people. Recent headlines read:

· CIOs face critical talent shortage (ITBusiness.ca, January 2007). “There's a perfect storm of events brewing that will be causing some major hiring headaches for CIOs in Canada… Schools are turning out far too few IT graduates at the same time many of the IT baby boom generation are making retirement plans.” - Terry Power, president of CNC Global.

· IT job market sizzles across Canada (ITWorldCanada.com, Aug. 2006)

· Industry groups join forces to fight IT labour shortage (IT business.ca, Dec. 2006) ICTC has teamed up with the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) to address an anticipated labour shortage of 89,000 workers by 2011. “One of the downsides to the tech downturn is this belief that there's no future in technology in Canada, which is absolutely false,” said Keith Carter, V-P of business development with Procom.

· Computing Canada, in the Nov. 17, 2006, issue quotes Stephen Ibaraki, vice-president of CIPS: “IT demand is up to near record levels and salaries are amongst the highest in the overall workforce, but the feeder systems are down.”

· Ottawa Business Journal reported in Oct. 2006: “The federal government will need to replace more than 7,000 information technology professionals in the next three years, an industry group warns. The federal public service will find itself in an IT crunch unless declining computer studies programs produce more graduates,” said Paul Swinwood, president of the ICTC.

So the industry message can be loosely be translated as – we need IT graduates for high paying jobs! And - Colleges and Universities need more students in these programs!

Sault College’s message is also very simple– provincial data (KPIs) show that 100% of our IT grads from 2005/06 are gainfully employed: not just in software development, but web & multimedia development, network and user support, security, and GIS.

Locally, major employers such as Algoma Steel, Ontario Lottery & Gaming, and the Ministry of Natural Resources, have hired many of our students, and our graduates now make up a significant portion of their IT workforce.

 

Tycho Black believes that Sault College grads are well prepared for the workforce having participated in a four-month work placement in their final semester: “Currently there are 25 Sault College Computer Studies students on work placements in Sault Ste. Marie, a testament to the value local businesses place on our students.”

Any one of the Sault College Computer Studies programs will leave graduates in a strong position to attain gainful employment, with one, two and three-year programs having start dates in fall 2007. Sault College’s programs also act as a valued springboard towards a Computer Science degree or a Computer Networking degree with LSSU or Algoma University College.

 

One 2006 Computer Programmer/Analyst grad from Sault College, Lindsay Pritchard, currently studying at LSSU through the International Division, is doing so well she is planning to pursue a Master’s Degree in Computer Science next fall after completing her Bachelor’s degree this spring.

When asked what message Mr. Black would like to send to high school students, he replied: “Young people should look with renewed interest at IT careers and take advantage of these new opportunities! Our small classes, excellent facilities and programs enable local students to get a quality education and a job upon graduation.”

Nadine Robinson is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Sault College.