5G technology offers opportunities beyond faster internet, with potential applications across health care, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. Published in 2018, 5G: Jumpstarting Our Digital Future examines how this next generation of wireless connectivity could shape Canada’s digital economy and demand for skilled talent. The report explores emerging applications, workforce needs, and the potential impact of different spectrum auction timelines on economic growth and employment through 2030.
Key Takeaways
- The report projected demand for 182,000 skilled ICT workers by 2019, which the domestic supply of ICT graduates and workers would be insufficient to meet.
- A lack of skilled workers limits businesses’ ability to assess and implement new technologies. Small and medium-sized enterprises face particular challenges finding and training job-ready talent.
- Engaging women, youth, immigrants, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities is critical to addressing talent shortages, alongside attracting and retaining global digital talent.
- Graduates need practical knowledge and skills to enter the workforce, while workforce upskilling and stronger digital literacy can support technology adoption.
- The strategy outlines seven priorities: youth talent development, workforce diversity, upskilling, global talent attraction and retention, digital literacy, digital entrepreneurship, and labour mobility.
Report
To cite this report:
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC). Digital Talent: Road to 2020 and Beyond: A National Strategy to Develop Canada’s Talent in a Global Digital Economy. ICTC, 2016. Ottawa, Canada.
This project was funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program.
