Digital announces expanded support for B.C. skills program

After announcing $12 million worth of investment in the commercialization and adoption of Canadian quantum earlier this month, this week Digital expanded twelve existing partnerships focused on skills training in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

"Canadian industry needs talent and leaders with the skills and mindset to grow their companies in the rapidly evolving digital world," said Sue Paish, CEO of Digital. "Digital is proud to advance talent development and digital skilling opportunities to more than 21,500 Canadians across every province and territory through these expanded collaborations. By addressing the geographic and economic barriers many Canadians face in accessing skilling programs and connecting these job seekers to in-demand careers, Digital is supporting Canadians, Canadian companies and building prosperous communities in the digital world."

Counter to policy shifts enacted by multiple companies in North America upon the appointment of Trump, nearly all of the projects in Digital’s partnership expansion aim to support underrepresented or marginalized groups, including BIPOC individuals, women, non-binary individuals, and people with disabilities.

Five of the 12 partner organizations are based in the Lower Mainland.

Surrey Board of Trade

Through the expanded partnership, the Surrey Board of Trade will train 180 participants looking for work in the digital hospitality industry in British Columbia. According to the project page, the Intercultural Digital Hospitality Skills Accelerator Project specifically supports training for “under-represented and racialized individuals.”

The program originally focused on participants in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Thompson-Okanagan, and on Vancouver Island. It will now be expanded to serve learners in the Kootenays and Prince George.

Foundation for a Path Forward

This Vancouver-based organization is lined up to train an additional 300 participants in full-stack web development through its Coding in Colour program. Coding in Colour provides relevant digital skills training for underrepresented BIPOC individuals. The upcoming round of training will use a renewed curriculum that incorporates practical AI integration, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies.

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

The Burnaby-based post-secondary will extend its Digital Innovation and Leadership program to train another 250 leaders and executives managing digital transformation and innovation initiatives within their organizations. Delivered through SFU’s Beedie School of Business, the program offers courses for early-to-mid-career individuals as well as experienced leaders. 

First Nations Technology Council (FNTC)

Digital first co-invested in the FNTC’s Digital Horizons program in 2023, which helped 420 Indigenous learners from 93 communities develop the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to work in a tech-enabled economy.

Although Digital Horizons is a training program, it is also intended to help tackle the limited financial support, access to culturally-informed programs, work-integrated learning opportunities, and general cultural awareness among employers faced by Indigenous people looking to enter the tech industry.

Digital announced that the expanded partnership will see Digital Horizons train another 120 Indigenous peoples in British Columbia and increase career services offered through the program.

Construction Foundation of British Columbia

The Construction Foundation of B.C.’s Sky Keepers program provides training for Indigenous drone operators through a multi-week initiative that culminates in five certifications, including from Transport Canada and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada. The program also helps connect program participants to employers after graduation. With the expansion of the partnership, 24 more Indigenous drone operators will receive training.

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