IT Labour Disconnect: High Demand / Low Supply

Daniel L. Silver, Ph.D.

Jodrey School of Computer Science Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 1

Outline • • • • High Demand for Skilled Labour Low Supply of New Talent Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect Recent Findings 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 2

High Demand for Skilled Labour 4/28/2020 Unemployment: ICT < 3.5%; National average > 6.5%.

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(thousands) High Demand NORTEL 4/28/2020

Source: Industry Canada website: Quarterly Monitor of the Canadian ICT Sector - Q2, 2008

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A Landscape of Opportunity Small Systems Admin. and Support System Installation and Technical Support CS + Application area X Interdisciplinary Specializations Programming Computer Science Programming Software Development Project Management System Analyst/Design Technical Expert Research 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 5

Outlook – Even Higher Demand • • • ICTC Outlook 2008-2015 Report (Oct 30, 2008): – – 125,000 to 175,000 ICT workers needed 15,795 to 22,345 per year 50% of hiring because of retirements – 40% Fed. IT workers eligible for retirement in 2008 Half of all hires: – Systems analysts and software engineers – Computer programmers and interactive media developers – User support technicians 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 7

Outlook – Even Higher Demand • From 2008 – 2015: – 7,200 university graduates per year needed (min.) – 5,100 domestic capacity (BSc, BEng) – 2,100 through immigration Workforce Requirements … students will pick their job!

Other 23% Univ.

47% College 30% Jodrey School of Computer Science Source: ICTC 2008-15 Outlook October 2008 4/28/2020 8

Most needed ICT talent in Canada?

37% of sector = 700,000 jobs in 2008

(Data from Feb, 2006)

Source: ICTC 2008-15 Outlook October 2008 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 9

Where are the ICT Jobs?

4/28/2020 37% of sector 700,000 in 2008 Jodrey School of Computer Science 10

Where are the ICT Jobs in NS?

Source: NSCC Survey of Nova Scotia’s Information Technology Industry, June 2008 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 11

An Optimistic Future in NS for IT!

Source: NSCC Survey of Nova Scotia’s Information Technology Industry, June 2008 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 12

Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home • • • • Subtotal HB Studios Concertia InfoInteractive - AOL 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 13

Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 14

Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 15

Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 16

Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 17

Low Supply of New Talent Graduates 40% 2002 2005 1998

Canadian IT Being Off-shored !

Low Supply – Just in a cycle?

Change in Enrollment in North America 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science Source: CRA 19

4/28/2020 Low Supply – Just in a cycle?

Change in Enrollment in Nova Scotia 0,7 0,6 0,5 1,0 0,9 0,8 0,4 0,3 0,2 0,1 0,0 2001 CS students enrolled in NS universities (mean proportion of maximum) 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Jodrey School of Computer Science 20

Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • • Lack of Public Awareness of Problem – • $57.6 B (4.7%) of GDP in Since 2003 media has focused on IT bust • – Solutions: – ICTC, ITANS, CIPS, ACM, CRA mounting campaigns – Require industry & gov’t involvement and funding 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 22

Canadian ICT Sector Output • • • • $57.6 billion of GDP (2002 dollars) in 2007 4.7% of overall GDP, up from 4.2% in 2002 Rose 4.4% from 2006, compared to 2.5% for overall GDP (similar performance last 5 years) Led by the software industry (7.5%), ICT services industries increased by 2.9% in 2007 Source: Industry Canada - ic.gc.ca

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ICTC – Information and Communications Technology Council of Canada 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 24

Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • • Cultural Challenges – What does a computer scientist do? Youth, parents, teachers know little about IT careers – Few role models – Geek image dominates – Few girls interested Solutions: – Robotic / Programming competitions & mentoring – School councilor & teacher workshops – Out the “Closet Geeks” / Women in IT associations 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 25

What is a Computer Scientist?

• • • • • • • • Designs computers and the computer software Develops information technologies for application in business and industry Tackles complex problems Often working in groups Loves to innovate, create solutions Loves to learn – changing , exciting field Good concentration and attention to detail Methodical, logical, good communication skills  Project leadership and managerial positions 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 26

ICTC Awareness Campaign 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 27

Decline of Women in CS • • • • •

26% of IT workers are women, 13% of students in CS are women

Early childhood influences - early social/cultural factors contribute to girls growing up less interested in technically oriented fields Lack of role models - few women computer scientists in high positions at the departments of computer science from whom newly admitted female students can gain inspiration Negative stereotyping - a computer specialist is typically portrayed as a boring and nerdy person who doesn't enjoy life to the fullest Lack of resources for girls - Statistics Canada indicate that girls don't have as much access to computers and the internet as boys do Career difficulties - some perceptions that the fast pace of IT would place women at a disadvantage if they take time off for children 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 28

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Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • • High School Educational Challenges – CS is part of Tech. Ed. and not Science curriculum – Mathematics has not been a priority in Canada – Typically one CS course / Few trained educators Solutions: – Offer 1 st year Intro CS courses to high schools – Accept students based on challenge exams – Offer Cert. / Masters in Math and CS Education – Seed & feed CS teacher association 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 30

Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • • • • Demographic Challenges – Youth population growth in Canada is declining Solutions: - Viagra, International recruitment Industry Disincentives: – “3-5 years experience” on job adverts – Only 25% of ICT sector is women Solutions: - Apprentice program tax incentives – Priority: Immigrate high quality female talent 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 31

Reasons / Solutions for the Disconnect • • University CS Department Challenges – Curricula need revision – CIPS endorsing applied CS curriculum – Need for more scholarship funding Solutions: – Listen to Industrial Advisory Board – Computer Science plus Domain X – Engage alumni / industry in scholarship campaign 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 32

What are employers looking for?

• • • • • Core technical skills (CS, Datacom) Experience with domain applications and computing platforms Experience with specific business processes to which ICT is a solution Great communications Great team‐work skills 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 33

Educational Paths

The Interdisciplinary Advantage

Degree programs in computer science are expanding to applied interdisciplinary areas

Computer science + Domain X knowledge

• • E-Commerce and Business Informatics = CS + Business Environmental Informatics = CS + Env. Science • Mobile Computing = CS + Handheld technologies • New media / Game Development = CS + Entertainment • Health Informatics = CS + Health Care • Bioinformatics = CS + Molecular Biology 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 34

4/28/2020 2008 UK Study – Attitudes of Undergrads on Careers in IT • • • Web-based questionnaire Snapshot of opinions two week window Respondents: – 1144 computing/IT students – 749 non-computing students Jodrey School of Computer Science 35

2008 UK Study – Attitudes of Undergrads on Careers in IT • • Computing students confident about careers – 79% felt certain they had made the right choice – 90% plan to work in ICT sector Main influencers – – Personal interest and abilities Exciting projects, chance to apply knowledge – Females - opportunity to effect society, environment, keep options open – Salary and career prospects – but lower on list 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 36

2008 UK Study – Attitudes of Undergrads on Careers in IT • • Perspective on IT promotion in schools – 50% of computing students felt IT not well promoted in schools – IT teachers had little impact on degree choices Major reason for non-computing students not entering computing degree – Expect work to be boring, repetitive, not involving interesting people and projects 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 37

2008 UK Study – Some Surprising Findings • • • Students had few fears of sector decline due to dot.com bust or off-shoring of labour Negative images of sector/professionals do not translate into reluctance to enter sector Do so few females in IT turn girls off?

– 70% of female computing students say this is not an important influencer – 40% of female non-computing students had no opinion, 21% were ferociously opposed to idea 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 38

2008 UK Study – Attitudes of Undergrads on Careers in IT • Exposure to/Promotion by employers/sector – 32% of computing students and 49% of non-computing felt sector did not promote careers – 41% of computing students and 59% of non-computing felt IT employers had a lower profile than those of other sectors – However … 70% of students undertaking work experience found it a major factor for confirming degree choice 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 39

2008 UK Study – Recommendations • Best strategy: – Campaign to overcome false perceptions of IT careers – boring, repetitive, isolated – Engage employers in campaign – Work with employers to create and foster work terms … Co-op 4/28/2020 Jodrey School of Computer Science 40

Q/A and Discussion cs.acadiau.ca

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4/28/2020

Thank You!

cs.acadiau.ca

[email protected]

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