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Today, in partnership with the Government of Alberta, the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) launched a new program to support businesses in Alberta to address labour shortages with strategies and resources to attract and retain top talent.

Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Alberta are experiencing uncertainty due to digital transformation, labour shortages, and economic shifts.  

Recruiting and retaining skilled employees during a labour shortage is an ongoing challenge for small businesses in Canada. In Alberta, where the digital economy has grown 27% in just five years, attracting and retaining top talent is a growing concern. However, many SMEs lack the in-house human resources (HR) team they need to ensure their workforce is resilient, innovative, and future-ready.

ICTC’s new program, Digital Workforce Catalyst Alberta (DWCA), will support digitally enabled small and medium-sized businesses in Alberta to attract and retain top talent.

Through DWCA, ICTC will support digitally enabled SMEs with short videos that provide bite-sized guidance from top HR professionals on hiring, staff retention, organizational culture, leadership, and diversity and equity. Alongside a resource hub with tools, templates and business cases, successful Alberta-based business owners and entrepreneurs will serve as ambassadors and coaches, providing practical advice customized to the needs of Albertan businesses.

DWCA was officially launched at an event in Calgary on November 6, 2024. At the event, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, the Honourable Matt Jones, remarked via video address, “Digital Workforce Catalyst Alberta is another crucial investment to help our business community thrive, addressing challenges throughout the employee journey from recruitment to retention. We’re dedicated to making Alberta the best place in Canada to live, work, invest, and grow a business. Initiatives like this reinforce our commitment to creating a vibrant business environment.”

For more information about ICTC’s Digital Workforce Catalyst Alberta program and to register to participate, visit goictc.link/DWCA.

Funding for DWCA is provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada-Alberta Job Fund. The Province of Alberta is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and services.

Learn more about Alberta's digital economy