Tech Sector Booms in Alberta
Hello Alberta Parents, you’ve seen the news lately about Alberta tech sector booms, right? Companies like Mphasis, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Plug & Play, Infosys, etc. are setting up their companies and headquarters here in our home, creating thousands of Tech jobs; not to mention countless other local smaller Tech companies that are mushrooming too. No doubt one day we could be seen as the Canadian version of Silicon Valley!
The number of Alberta tech companies has more than doubled since 2018. There were only 1,238 in 2018 and now it’s more than 3,000. It is only in a three-year span!
"We're just seeing that next generation of entrepreneurs that historically likely would have started up a junior oil and gas company are now starting up tech and venture companies right here at home," said Alberta Minister of Jobs, Doug Schweitzer.
Are we ready?
With all of this good news, is there enough talent in Alberta to meet increased demand in Tech workers? Unfortunately, everyone, not just experts, says no.
Our children are the future of Alberta. Ironically, due to the pandemic, almost a third of students suffering setbacks, whereas in a normal year it’s only about 10 percent getting behind (Calgary Herald, Dec 5, 2021). And in math, the decline in students’ achievement is more pronounced than in other subjects.
It is a good thing that some school districts are taking action by providing temporary teachers to support pandemic learning loss – but is it enough? Firstly, it is just temporarily, and secondly, the number of teachers may not be sufficient. Thirdly, each child has their own math gaps – having the same bad grades do not mean having the same type of weaknesses that need to worked on. For each child, these gaps need to be identified so that the targeted learning plan can be built. This individualized approach would be so impractical as teachers have already too much on their plates.
There is no doubt that due to the local talent shortage, these companies will be outsourcing overseas as work remotely from other provinces/countries is very common nowadays.
Should we – as parents – sit passively with the risk of letting this (future) Tech job opportunities pass before our own eyes?
Take action now – it could be the best decision you’ve made!
You think this above subtitle sounds cheap and bombastic? Not really. That actually came from a parent who sent her son to our centre, Mathnasium of Red Deer: “Every time I think about my decision to send my son here, it gives me goosebumps. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made”.
If you see your child struggling, maybe it is time to take action. This is not a normal year, and drastic times require drastic measures. Leaving the situation as is and just hoping your child gets better is unrealistic as math concepts build on each other. Over the time it could make your child lose passion in math and other STEM subjects.
The future belongs to those who prepare for it. Come visit Mathnasium of Red Deer to see how we can help. We are conveniently located in the shopping destination area in Red Deer: 5250 22nd St, Unit 30 B – at the Gaetz Avenue Crossing shopping centre, in the same area as Chapters Indigo, Michael Arts, Petland and Ashley, and the phone number is 403-872 MATH (6284). Our centre director, Riwan Prasatya, would be happy to meet you!
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