B.C.’s Globally Recognized Creative Technology Sector is a Key Driver of Employment: New Report

October 5, 2021 — British Columbia is a globally recognized hub for creative technology, providing over 10,000 jobs across animation, visual effects, and video games. A report released today by DigiBC, the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), and B.C.’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training (AEST) provides new benchmarking data and key recommendations to ensure this sector continues to thrive on a global scale.

This first-of-its-kind report for the industry, Benchmarking the Creative Technology Ecosystem in British Columbia, examines both job development potential and demand for talent across animation, visual effects and video game companies in the province, along with current post-secondary training opportunities.

B.C.’s creative technology ecosystem has flourished since the 1980s to become a key driver of employment in the wider technology sector. British Columbia is a global hotspot for video game production, and more recently it has become a hub for animation and film. Currently, creative technology is a key contributor to the B.C. labour market.

As the report outlines, ensuring the continued success of this sector in B.C. relies on access to skilled talent at all levels, creating greater visibility for the sector, fortifying access to financing, and further collaboration between industry and post-secondary institutions.

This study also provides details of:

• Sector demographics
• The most in-demand jobs and the skills and competencies associated with those roles
• An analysis of company views on the quality of B.C. talent compared to international talent
• Insights into recruitment and retention practices, highlighting barriers and opportunities
• Relevant education for the creative technology sector, top schools and programs, enrolment, student demographics, diversity and inclusion initiatives, work-integrated learning

 
“B.C. has long been a leader in the creative technology sector, and it continues to grow at a rapid pace," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. "This report provides recommendations to keep B.C.’s technology sector thriving which is critical to creating an economy that is inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. It also outlines the need to grow talent, with diversity and inclusion at the forefront – an action that we are deeply committed to through a number of programs. The DigiBC report will serve as a valuable guide as we work to train people for the jobs of tomorrow.” 

"This report is the result of a year-long collaboration between the creative technology industry, academic partners, and the Province of B.C.'s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training," said Loc Dao, Executive Director of DigiBC. "With the participation of 49 companies, representing nearly 10,000 jobs across our province, this report provides us not only with the most fulsome data available on our diverse creative tech sector but also a clear roadmap, through a series of data-driven recommendations, for us to inspire the next generation of creative technologists and grow this important sector in our province."

“The triple play of technology advancements, innovations, and talent makes B.C.'s creative technology sector home to a burgeoning industry vertical, contributing to the growth of the local economy and labour market," said Namir Anani, ICTC President and CEO. "Talent in this space is increasingly seen as the comparative advantage in a globally competitive landscape. Harnessing the full potential of all human capital to meet the projected talent demand in this rapidly growing sector will be critical in the coming years.”
 

About DigiBC
DigiBC is the creative technology industry association for B.C. with a mission to promote, support, and accelerate the growth of B.C.'s creative technology industry to the benefit of current and future generations. Membership consists of companies from the video game, animation, visual effects, and VR/MR/AR sectors, along with technology enablers and service providers.

About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a not-for-profit, national centre of expertise for strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in a global economy. Through trusted research, practical policy advice, and creative capacity-building programs, ICTC fosters globally competitive Canadian industries enabled by innovative and diverse digital talent. In partnership with an expansive network of industry leaders, academic partners, and policy makers from across Canada, ICTC has empowered a robust and inclusive digital economy for over 25 years.