Greater Montréal's Information and Communications Technology Industry
Mobilizes to Create 60,000 New Jobs over the Next Five Years

MONTREAL , Oct. 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Greater Montréal's information and communications technology (ICT) industry, the region's most important vector for industrial innovation with 120,000 jobs, is mobilizing to create 60,000 new jobs over the next five years. The ICT cluster's main players, with support from the institutional and public sectors, as well as the main companies in the industry, are presenting their plan to develop future generations of talent, thus addressing a major challenge: ensuring the growth and prosperity of Metropolitan Montréal and Québec. This plan will be kicked off with the Journées Carrières Techno, taking place from October 19 to 22.

" Montreal ICT industry's most important constraint for expansion is the access to a growing qualified workforce. Worldwide ICT expertise growing demand represents an extraordinary opportunity for the Province of Québec; however, to take full advantage of this huge potential, we must develop our pool of specialized/talented workers. I am glad to see the industry is getting together to make a difference; our institutions and our whole Québec society are now mobilizing in support of our ICT cluster hence reinforcing our international leadership," says Michel Guay , Chairman of TechnoMontréal's Board of Directors and CEO of Radio IP Software.

Yves Beauchamp, General Director of the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), brought to light that "educational institutions face a tremendous challenge to meet the growing needs of the industry. As proof, computer engineering students receive no less than nine job offers and the majority are already guaranteed a position before they have even completed half of their studies."

An Unprecedented Mobilization

This massive mobilization of the ICT industry has led to the creation of the Journées Carrières Techno, a series of events that will take place in Montréal from October 19 to 22. The opening ceremony and press conference kicking off this week of events will take place at eXcentris on October 19 at 10:30 AM , featuring Sam Hamad , Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, and Minister of Labour.

The highlights include a round table of ICT industry leaders to support future workforce, as well as several activities organized by the Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ) de Montréal, TECHNOCompétences, the CEFRIO, the Réseau ACTION TI, the Association de la recherche industrielle du Québec (ADRIQ), the Association québécoise des informaticiennes et informaticiens indépendants (AQIII), the Association des Diplômés de Polytechnique (ADP), the Centre de recherche informatique de Montréal (CRIM) and the Québec Technology Association (AQT). Also noteworthy will be a day of awareness of the leading educational institutions and organizations called "Cool! Les technos", that will take place on October 22 at the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS).

Initiated by TechnoMontréal's Future Workforce working group and its partners, the Journées Carrières Techno are the fruit of concerted efforts by the sector's organizations, with the support of leading companies and institutions from Greater Montréal's ICT cluster. In all, more than thirty organizations joined forces to realize this week of events.

"The economic impact of the ICT workforce goes well beyond this industry's limits. It contributes to the prosperity of the whole of Québec's economy. In fact, 58% of ICT jobs are in companies that lie outside this industry, such as banks, public administration, finance, transportation or energy," says François Rainville, Chairman of TECHNOCompétences' Board of Directors and CEO of Eloda.

Please consult www.journeescarrierestechno.com for the detailed program of the Journées Carrières Techno, the complete list of partner organizations or to sign up for the activities.

About TechnoMontréal - www.technomontreal.com

TechnoMontréal brings together the key players of Greater Montréal's Information and Communications Technology cluster around concerted actions to accelerate and optimize their competitiveness, growth and visibility. TechnoMontréal's strategic actions cover industry needs related to workforce, commercialization, financing, investment and innovation, together with public and parapublic players, with the support of leading companies and institutions such as DMR, the École de technologie supérieure, the École Polytechnique de Montréal, the Université de Montréal, Bell, CGI, Ericsson, Radio IP Software, Irosoft, 8D Technologies, Sologlobe, Ubisoft, Collège Bois-de-Boulogne and the CRIM.

About TECHNOCompétences - www.technocompetences.ca

TECHNOCompétences, the ICT Workforce Sectorial Committee's, vision is to make Québec's information and communications technology industry a world-leader thanks to the quality of its workforce. Its plan, supported by industry partners, aims to balance the supply of and demand for qualified human resources. For close to 12 years, TECHNOCompétences has maintained information on the labour market, aimed to improve the skill-level of the human resources the industry requires and helped companies to improve their management practices. Finally, TECHNOCompétences strives to increase the size of the workforce by reaching out to future generations through the MaCarrièreTECHNO.com promotional campaign.

About the École de technologie supérieure - www.etsmtl.ca

Founded in 1974, the École de technologie supérieure is part of the Université du Québec system. Specialized in applied teaching in engineering and technology and technology transfer to companies, it teaches engineers and researchers who are recognized for their practical and innovative approach. In any given year, 25% of all engineers receiving a diploma from an engineering school or faculty in the province of Québec graduate from the ÉTS. It also delivers the highest number of computer engineering degrees in Canada . The school is currently ranked third in Canada for undergraduate engineering teaching.

About the Réseau ACTION TI - www.actionti.com

With over 10,000 members and clients, the Réseau ACTION TI brings together and mobilizes players in Québec's information technology industry. It creates opportunities to come together and helps to improve their skills and knowledge. It also highlights quality achievements and promotes IT in Québec.

    
    About the Quebec Technology Association (AQT)
    http://www.aqt.ca/en/index.asp
    

The Quebec Technology Association (AQT) is a non-profit organization, which is self-funded by its members. The AQT represents information technology companies and their executives. The Association's mission is to support their growth objectives and facilitate their access to the best business practices. The Association has over 400 member companies and affiliate members.

About Montréal International - www.montrealinternational.com

Montréal International (MI) was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of metropolitan Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organizations and qualified workers, supporting the development of innovation and metropolitan clusters, and promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International is funded by the private sector, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community), the City of Montréal and the Governments of Canada and Québec.

Since its creation, Montréal International has helped to attract more than $7 billion in foreign investment to Greater Montréal. From these investments, more than 40 000 jobs have been created or maintained. To date, MI's activities have also allowed more than 25 international organizations to establish themselves in the city and attract more than 3 000 qualified foreign workers. To learn more, please visit MI Web site at: www.montrealinternational.com.

Une version française est disponible en ligne au www.journeescarrierestechno.com/documentation.html

For further information: Martin Duchaîne, ing MBA, General Manager, TechnoMontréal, [phone]; Sylvie Gagnon, General Manager, TECHNOCompétences, [phone]; Antoine Landry, Director, Communications Department, École de technologie supérieure, [phone]; Benoît Lefèvre, Communications Advisor, Montréal International, [phone]