Tech firms seek varied skills
More than 83,000 jobs are expected to open up in this B.C. sector in the next decade
The B.C. tech industry has exploded in recent years. Startups are booming everywhere, from downtown high-rises to Surrey industrial parks, and Metro Vancouver tech companies are hiring faster than any other sector.
Despite the breadth of industries that tech companies represent, however, the average citizen still imagines their offices to be staffed by basement-dwelling geeks.
Popular culture’s nerd stereotypes are pervasive and often act as a factor in dissuading Vancouverites from entering the lucrative business. In reality, local technology companies are calling for diverse talent from many different trades—whether they know how to code or not. Like any other industry, tech organizations need communications, PR, and HR representatives, along with accountants, project managers, and sales executives. Nearly every Vancouver technology firm is hiring.
Jill Tipping, president and CEO of the B.C. Tech Association, has made it her mission to spread that message.
“It’s important to demystify what it means to work in the tech industry,” she tells the Georgia Straight at B.C. Tech’s upscale office in the new Great Northern Way development. “Yes, there is Ping-pong, and dogs in the office, and the coffee is good—all that is true. But the reason people should look for jobs in the sector is because human beings are at the centre in ways that they’re not in older industries. Tech companies all have a fundamental drive to be fast to market, experiment, and innovate. That means that what you’re working on—no matter what your role is—is inherently exciting. Growth, opportunity, solving problems, and working to quick time lines make for an exciting and flexible career.”
At base, Tipping says, technology companies are dedicated to identifying ways in which life could be improved for everyday individuals. Local companies are in the business of creating cutting-edge tools to help eliminate irritating or time-consuming problems or make dangerous situations safer. In Metro Vancouver alone, organizations are currently working on projects such as generating clean energy by replicating the reactions happening inside the sun, correcting vision with virtual-reality headsets, and creating customfitting footwear using a picture of a person’s foot.
“I see technology as a force for good in society,” Tipping says. “It makes opportunities more equal and improves outcomes.
“It’s also important to help people recognize how tech can help them in simple terms,” she continues. “Often, engineers can get caught up in the complexity of ways in which their product fixes a problem, and that’s what makes them amazing at their jobs. But it also means that they can talk in too much detail with people who already understand it. We need to get away from the idea of the product itself and focus on the problem that it solves and why someone should care. That’s when everybody says: ‘I want some more of that in my life.’ ”
One of the ways that Tipping hopes to encourage local Vancouverites into the industry is through education. In the past few months, the B.C. Tech Association worked in conjunction with Melanie Mark, the province’s minister of advanced education, skills, and training, to provide an extra 1,000 places in tech-related courses at local postsecondary establishments. With more than 83,000 jobs expected to open up in the sector over the next 10 years, Tipping wants to double that number. In her view, the province’s tech companies will hire as many people as universities can graduate.
“On a personal level, my family’s fortunes were transformed by the availability of public education,” she says. “I come from centuries of peasants. That’s my background. And then my dad went to Glasgow University for a B.SC. in engineering, and that took him to Canada. He has three daughters, and we each have two degrees. That’s our family’s story, but that can be our province’s story, too, if we help to educate people.
“I see tech not as an industry, but as a revolution,” she continues. “It’s going to happen to all economies. B.C.’S tech sector is growing; it’s thriving, and there are all these wonderful stories. I think we’re in a great position to be one of the leaders.”
JJuly 5 to 11, 2018
uly will come and go before you know it. To be sure, the experience and the memories will stick around for a lot longer.
Thursday through Sunday, the stars are mostly on a smooth-running course. Even though we are on a winddown before the next new moon, the week ahead has a lot going for it.
Venus leaves Leo for Virgo late Monday, assisting you/us to get back to work on whatever was interrupted or waylaid in recent weeks. Jupiter ends a four-month retrograde cycle next Tuesday. Jupiter will still be on a magnification track by the time Thursday’s solar eclipse arrives. This is a partial solar eclipse in Cancer and also a super new moon. In opposition to Pluto in Capricorn, it’s sure to pack an emotional punch. Be reminded that an eclipse is of heightened influence in the month preceding and following the actual event. This eclipse has already made its presence known by hitting below the belt, by usurping security and safety in numerous ways (i.e., trade wars threatening economic stability; the migrant children/parents situation in the USA).
Eclipses act as acceleration catalysts. A new chapter supersedes an ending in some dynamic, fated, karmic way. Bringing the past full circle, Thursday’s eclipse cements a new bottomline reality. What ends, expires, or begins sets the foundation for the long term. Watch for a major announcement, for someone of significance to exit the planet, or for a notable birth to make headlines. Venus in Virgo, well aligned with Uranus and Saturn, exposes vulnerability and weak spots. Venus also sets a backdrop for correction, improvement, and healing.
ARIES
March 20–April 19
Thursday/friday finish the week on an upswing. You should feel that you are getting yourself someplace better. Entering Virgo on Monday, Venus forms a good working relationship with both Uranus and Saturn for the rest of the week. Next Thursday’s solar eclipse officially marks the end of a personal era and the beginning of a new base line, especially regarding home, family, and career.
TAURUS April 20–May 20
The stars keep to a relatively smooth-running track through the end of the weekend. You’ll have no trouble making the most out of the time you spend and the conversations you have. Once Venus enters Virgo and Jupiter ends retrograde you’ll hit a major move-it-forward track. Monday through Friday defines the shape of things to come in some significant and karmic way.
GEMINI
May 21–June 21
Thursday/friday are optimum for cutting loose. This weekend, take it as it comes, avoid the crowds, easy does it best. One way or another, Venus in Virgo, starting late Monday, will put you to work. Home matters and family keep you especially busy. Health, wealth, or actual repairs and upgrades will too. Thursday’s solar eclipse in Cancer begins a new chapter regarding rebuilding and replenishing.
CANCER June 21–July 22
A new reality is setting in. Appreciate the fact or not, it is time. To a large extent, it is long overdue. Saturday/sunday the flow is good. Venus in Virgo, starting late Monday, puts added attention on the shortages and blanks but it is also a positive transit for healing, corrections, upgrades, and repairs. Next Thursday’s eclipse places you at a milestone threshold.
LEO
July 22–August 22
The end of the workweek keeps you going strong and timing it right. You’ll shift into low key Saturday/sunday, and still make the most of it. Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter are on the move as of Monday/tuesday. Next Thursday’s super new moon eclipse puts the focus on sorting out what’s real, what’s viable or useful, and what needs to be reworked.
VIRGO
August 22–September 22
It’s time to hit the refresh button! Venus in Virgo, the end of Jupiter retrograde, and next Thursday’s solar eclipse set the timer switch to breakthrough/break free/bust up the concrete. It’s an auspicious moment for personal, career, and lifestyle reinvention, for getting your act together regarding health, wealth, and emotional fulfillment. Despite the limitations, how you live life is up to you. Tuum est.
LIBRA
September 22–October 23
No matter how it frees you up, something inadvertent or unexpected on Thursday paves the way for an improvement. Monday begins a major move-ahead week. Next Thursday’s solar eclipse can mark a milestone passage or a special anniversary. It’s rinse yourself off and build it better time. The eclipse moves your career or personal life reality to a timely (or overdue) next level.
SCORPIO
October 23–November 21
A fresh try or creative solution could do the trick Thursday/ Friday. Spontaneity is the way to play it. The weekend can slow you down, but not by much, and likely in the best of ways. As of Monday/tuesday, you’ll hit an activity or good-idea upswing. Wednesday to Friday, retrace your steps. A revisit or rethink sets you up for an evolutionary leap.
SAGITTARIUS November 21–December 21
Venus in Leo ends on Monday, but you’ll continue in good grace as Venus in Virgo makes favourable contact with Uranus and Saturn through the end of next week. The reality is shifting. Jupiter and the super solar eclipse on the go set up an auspicious backdrop for a new/reparative/ restorative inner and outer life chapter to begin. It’s nesting time for some!
CAPRICORN December 21–January 19
Saturn and Uranus will maintain a strong working relationship for the next couple of months. There’s no better time than right now to go exploring, to try the new you on for size. Venus in Virgo, starting late Monday, helps you to spot a bargain, advantage, niche, or flaw and to top up on what’s missing.
AQUARIUS
January 20–February 18
Mars in Aquarius continues on the backtrack, but as of Tuesday, Jupiter in Scorpio resumes forward motion. Along with the rest of the stellar deck, the week ahead is a productive one for uncovering what needs to be addressed and put to bed. Thursday’s solar eclipse begins a next-phase correction, heal it, fix it, get to work on it cycle.
PISCES
February 18–March 20
Overall (and despite it all) you’re in good shape. On vacation or not, Thursday’s sun/jupiter and Sunday’s sun/neptune set you up to max out on the best the stars have to offer. Venus in Virgo and next Thursday’s solar eclipse set up an auspicious backdrop for matters of the heart. An important reconnect or turnaround can be made.