Ottawa, May 7, 2024—Health technology innovation could ease the burden on Alberta’s health care system by improving patient access and the quality and continuity of care, but a shortage of workers with HealthTech skills means the province must also invest in workforce development.
Read ICTC’s latest report: From Concept to Care: Health Technology Talent in Alberta.
Key findings:
- Alberta faces both a shortage of health care practitioners and experienced, mid-, and senior-career health, technology, and business workers. Recruitment strategies like increased remuneration and skill-based hiring must be coupled with workforce development to build HealthTech talent.
- To fill the gaps in Alberta’s health care system, a combination of workforce development techniques, including work-integrated learning and incentivizing skill development for mid-career professionals, is needed.
- As Alberta expands the number of seats offered in post-secondary programs and streamlines international credential recognition, it will also need to promote the development of interdisciplinarity and digital health skills in its healthcare programs.
- Strengthening the entire health technology ecosystem in the province could promote job creation, which would help many Alberta health technology companies find senior talent with experience in business development, market access, and regulatory compliance.
Alberta is well positioned to use this report's findings on health technology workforce needs and talent development to create a provincial health care system with outstanding patient access, quality, and continuity of care.
"Innovate, educate, and elevate. Alberta's path to a stronger health care future begins with empowering its workforce with the skills to navigate the intersection of health and technology." —Namir Anani, ICTC President and CEO
Read the Report
From Concept to Care: Health Technology Talent in Alberta
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national center of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada's digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, and with a team of 110 experts, we have delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. The organization’s goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation and that Canada's workforce remains competitive on a global scale.
To arrange an interview on this study or other media inquiries, please contact Paul Stastny at @email or 403.351.0138 Ext. 823.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy, and Trade.
