B.C. Offers Vouchers To Bring New Talent to Tech Sector

B.C tech sector | BCBusiness
B.C.’s tech sector could see a significant spike in jobs as the province offers up funds to help companies commercialize their technology.

The provincial government is starting a new program to help tech companies funnel upstarts into research and development.

B.C’s tech sector is about to get a $7-million job boost, courtesy of the provincial government.
 
The government has proposed a new commercialization voucher program, which will offer funds to small- to medium-sized tech companies to hire fresh-faced tech grads for research and development.
 
From the sounds of it, the program is a win-win. B.C.’s tech sector receives free money (either $15,000 or $50,000) to offset their hiring costs while also getting fresh ideas on how to commercial their products or technology.  Up-and-comers have more opportunities to learn and work with established tech companies.
 
Currently, B.C.’s tech sector employs 84,000 people, which is surprisingly more than our resource sector employs. According to the B.C. government, the program could help boost the sector to 100,000 jobs by 2014.
 
The program is just the boost the sector needs to draw talent and have a financial edge over other digital centres in the country.