Training Needed for Upcoming Computer Jobs, Says Code NL Founder
A study predicts that by 2019, Newfoundland and Labrador will face 3,800 unfilled programming jobs. Code NL founder James Flynn believes more training is essential to meet this demand.
The provincial government recently announced $400,000 for coding education in schools. While Flynn acknowledges this as a positive step, he emphasizes the need for a comprehensive computer science curriculum for all students.
“It’s not a full curriculum. We’d like to see a complete curriculum that provides computer science education for all students across the province,” Flynn said. He started Code NL to advocate for better programming education in Newfoundland and Labrador.
On Monday, the government announced the funding to promote coding among students. Flynn, a Rhodes scholar and MBA student at Oxford University, noted that this initiative is a significant improvement from the limited computer science courses available during his own schooling in St. John’s.
“We had two [computer science] courses, taken by very few people,” Flynn recalled. “I wish I could have started learning this much earlier. Starting late almost felt too late.”
Flynn explained that coding involves giving instructions to computers. With different languages for different types of code, the ability to read and write code is highly sought after in the job market. He cited a study by the Information and Communications Technology Council, which reported that 7,900 people were working in ICT in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2015. The same study predicted 3,800 unfilled ICT jobs by 2019.
Flynn doubts these numbers have decreased since the study. He highlighted local companies like Kraken Sonar and Verafin, as well as sectors like government and oil and gas, as major employers of programmers.
The report also noted a lack of youth pursuing ICT careers, potentially limiting the province’s future competitiveness. Flynn believes that enhancing computer science education can address this issue.
Improved coding education could also bring demographic benefits. Kendra MacDonald, chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries, stated that coding helps build a future where workers choose where to work. Flynn agrees, seeing this as particularly important for smaller towns. With many programmers working remotely, better coding education could enable people in rural areas to find employment while staying in their hometowns.
“The key thing is ensuring broadband connectivity exists,” Flynn said.
The issue of unfilled programming and tech jobs remains significant across Canada today. As of recent reports, Canada is facing a substantial labor shortage in the tech sector. For instance, there are currently around 25,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the country. This shortage is driven by factors such as high demand for digital skills, competition from the U.S., and a lack of graduates entering the field (ICTC) (Money.ca).
Overall, the job vacancy rate in Canada has reached record levels. In June 2022, the country had over 830,000 unfilled positions across various sectors, including professional, scientific, and technical services, which encompasses many tech-related jobs (Canadian Chamber of Commerce) (BNN). This trend indicates a growing need for skilled workers in the tech industry, exacerbated by rapid digital transformation and increasing cyber threats.
To address this gap, there are ongoing discussions about improving training and education in tech fields, as well as modernizing employment policies to better align with current market needs. Enhancing computer science curricula and investing in digital skills training are seen as crucial steps to mitigate this talent shortage and support Canada’s economic growth (ICTC) (CIC News).
