NANAIMO – Nanaimo is recognized as the 4th community in the province leading the way in growth of tech sector development – right behind Kelowna, Victoria & Vancouver.
BC’s technology sector supports innovation, new product development and new business models in sectors identified as priorities in the BC Jobs Plan. This, in turn, supports the creation of high-paying jobs that give families economic stability and builds vibrant communities.
Provincially, the technology sector directly employs more than 86,000 people, and wages for those jobs are 60 per cent higher than BC’s industrial average. In 2013, the sector grew at a rate of 4.7 per cent, a higher rate than the 3.2 per cent growth observed in the provincial economy. New technology companies are emerging at increasing rates throughout the province and Nanaimo makes an appealing location due to its proximity to the heart of the sector, Vancouver, and because of its affordable, attractive lifestyle opportunities.
BC is a global technology leader, with strong industry clusters that include clean technology; information and communication technologies; wireless, digital and screen-based media; and health and life sciences. Nanaimo is well-positioned for further tech growth based on its diversification towards an educational, knowledge-based and health sciences economy.
In December, the province announced the launch of a $100 million venture capital fund. But, capital is only one of three pillars in the #BCTECH Strategy. The remaining two pillars, talent and markets, include actions to deepen the technology talent pool by developing and attracting the highest quality talent, and actions to make it easier to access new markets.
This, in addition to recent announcements of changes to the K-12 curriculum that provides every student with the opportunity to learn computer coding by Grade 9, reinforces support of growth in the economy with an accompanying growth in jobs and business startups stimulating further positive business activity in communities all over Vancouver Island.
Minister of Technology Amrik Virk will be in Nanaimo this month to explain the development of the province’s tech strategy and where the future might take us. Other speakers will offer their opinion on whether tech will take over Nanaimo’s economy or, more aptly, when! Minister Virk is our keynote speaker at the Chamber’s July monthly luncheon to be held at the Nanaimo Golf Course on July 13. Tickets at www.nanaimochamber.bc.ca.
– Kim Smythe is CEO of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at ceo@nanaimochamber.bc.ca.