ADVERTISING FEATURE

High tech job ma

C's high tech industries are crying out for
crpeitted people. But there just aren't
enough skilled workers to fill all of the
positions in this ever-growing segment of
the economy.

by Lisa Smedman

It's a worldwide phenomenon.
“There's an explosive growth in high technology indus-

tries across the developing nations of the world, particular:

ly in the US," said George Hunter, executive director of
the BC Technology Industries Association (BCTIA).

"Jobs are growing much faster than the supply of people."

In BC, «n estimated 57,000 people are employed in the
high tech scetor. By the year 2000, there will be 99,000
jobs in this sector of the economy, according to estimates
by the BCTIA. The technology sector grew by 22%
between 1995 and 1997, and roday has a total estimated

revenue of $7.6 billion - expected to rise to $14 billion by

the year 2000.

While the vacancy rates are most acute for software devel-
opers, other high tech industries in BC are also experienc-
ing growth, But many of these jobs require highly spevial-
ized training.

"Here in BC, we have everything from aquaculture to
hardware development, from the life sciences to the tele-

Do you need help with your job search?
Are you thinking about raining?
Could you use some support?

Fully Funded Training
You could qualify for one of the following programs:

@ Computer Training

B Women in Facus

BA 3 or S week Job Search Program

& Determining Self-Employment Feasibility
& Self Employment Training

Call 904-3131 for more informatien

For the most up-to-date Career & Labour Market
Information, Computer & Internet access as well as
Community Resources visit our:

Assisted Career & Ernployment
(ACE) Centre 3rd floor of Capilano Mail

or call 987-6894

Qualiy programs by we
Employment Training Division
North Vancouver School District

Education
for
Employmest

B Career Diploma Programs

@ Flexible Schedules

Self-Paced Training

@ Placement Assistance

& Days, Evenings & Saturdays

Mf Financial Assistance may be
Available to Eligible Srudents

Call today to make
an appointment.

North Shore Lecation
980-0897

150 Career Training Locations
across Canada

aCaveInv OF
LeaAShinc
Computer and Business Carcer College

s:

”

com and aerospace industries,” said Hunter. Industries to
watch for in the future include biotechnology - specifically
lite sciences, a field that is expected to experience broad-
based growth. New media is another rapidly growing
technology that crops up in everything from film aninia-
tion to computer games. Multi-media is becoming ever
more popular as more companies make use of computer-
ized presentations, which are replacing the now old-fash-
ioned paper-based press releases and reports.
BC is also home to a growing fuel cell technology.
“Ballard (Power Systems) could well become the GM of
the fuel industry," said Hunter. The electronics field is also
growing, as Companies manufacturing of chips and semi-
conductors open plants in BC. There is also a demand for

“rhe technology sector grew by
22% between 1995 and 1997, and
today has a total estimated revenue
of $7.6 billion - expected to rise fo

$14 billion by the year 2000.”

those trained in digital pre-press printing. In the past,
Mechanical engineers were primarily in demand in BC's
pulp and paper industry. Today, the demand for engineers
is in product design.

Wireless communication is another area of high tech
industry thar is booming. By the year 2005, according to
the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association,
an estimated 40% of all Canadians will owt a wireless
paone. More than 3,900 Canadians are subseribing to
personal communications services (wireless phones, pagers,
mobile radios, mobile satellice phones or mobile data
units) every day, and the industry reports an annual
growth of 30%.

The wireless communications industry reports a shortage
of radio frequency engineers, software designers, and sys-
tems engineers. Most of the jobs in the high tech sector
are with small companies. Only 12% are companies with
20 or more employees.

“Mature” high tech companies with a large staff and rev-
enues in the hundreds of millions of dollars are still a rarity
in BC; more than 65% of the companies in this industry
are "start-up" companies with less than five employees.

(RE GOB Pa hee:

FASHION CAREERS

Ful, Time 39 week
Di loma Course in
Fashion =n and Marketing

Part Tim
Evening and Seturday Glasses
For more information call now!

687-3352

Helen SLofeaue J ne.

100-247Abbott St, Vancouver
Accredited by the
National Accreditation Commission

RN SY ETE

of Vancouver

re

viva a a
Wi yos are ender 30 and iooking

THIS IS A FREE SERVICE DROP IN TODAY!
wa Ghesterfield Place st Lonsdale Quay

: “apertarsip wth th Korth Shore Nelghouroed Hs

Wednesday, December 2, 1998 - North Shore News - 49

Angelica Perez graduated from a business fundamentals course
at Capilano College and applied to Business Works. She now
works full-time at Futura Forest Products in Vancouver. Many
of the people who look for work through Business Works are
placed in jobs within a month. Business Works is sponsored by the
Ministry of Advanced Education, Training & Technology and the
BC Chamber of Commerce.

“What these companies need are good technical man-
agers," said Darcy O'Grady of CREO products Inc. "They
also need marketing and sales people."

In 1990, high tech industry offered a salary thar was 57%
higher than salaries in the job market as a whole, said
Hunter. By 1996 that premium had climbed to 73%.
While industry still gives preferesce to someone with an
engineering or computer scien. degree, there is a short-
age of people with these qualiticctions and thus, employers
are willing to look at other alternatives.

"Soft skills" such as written and verbal communication
skills or the ability to lead a team are becoming increasing-
ly important. Those who can add computer and technical
training on top of conventional business skills are increas-

bast the past, mechanical engineers
were primarily in demand in BC’s pulp
and paper industry. Today, the demand

for engineers is in product design.

ingly finding employment in the high tech industry.

The high tech industry in BC is burgeoning, although the
growth is not as rapid as it is south of the border - in
Washington, Oregon and California, for example. “BC's
provincial econonwy, labor laws and business climate are
holding it back,” said O'Grady. But the creation this year
of new educational options that offer technical training to
those who already have a non-technical degree is a positive
sign,

Job Unks for Community, Susie and Gowsmnment

Business Works lets you
earn while you learn!

If you have the right skills
and a great attitude, we can
help you find a full-time job
in your community!

You must be job-ready and
on income assistance for 7
rionths or more.

| Call Now Toll-free
1-800-965-JOBS

Business Works is sponsored by the
Ministry of Advanced Educatios,
Training & Technology and the

BC Chamber of Commerce