Partnership between ICTC and Vector Institute to boost Canada's AI workforce development
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) and the Vector Institute have joined forces to build the workforce of the future and accelerate Canada's leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). This strategic partnership aims to significantly accelerate the growth of Canada's AI talent pipeline and support the country’s innovation economy.
The collaboration, anchored in ICTC's national Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital program, will provide 150 student placements over the next three years, giving emerging talent hands-on experience in AI. This practical knowledge is crucial for thriving in the AI sector.
The partnership also supports AI startups, helping to scale innovation by fostering an ecosystem where new AI-driven companies can grow and commercialize their technologies effectively. By aligning educational initiatives with industry needs, the partnership will also accelerate the modernization and migration of AI technologies, such as through cloud platforms like AWS, enhancing Canada’s technological infrastructure and innovation capacity.
This collaboration is rooted in a shared mission to equip students and startups with critical skills to scale AI innovation in Canada. By doing so, it contributes to strengthening the digital economy and maintaining Canada’s competitiveness globally in AI research and application.
The Vector Institute, with its unique position to connect Ontario's AI talent with SMEs and startups from its FastLane community, will embed students within this network of AI-enabled startup businesses. This will provide students with real-world work experience, essential for their career development.
This $1.5 million investment in Canada's AI ecosystem is a strategic move towards ensuring that Canadian talent drives global competitiveness in emerging technologies. Namir Anani, President and CEO of ICTC, stated that this partnership is a significant investment in Canada's future, strengthening its innovation economy and ensuring that Canada remains a global leader in AI.
For media enquiries regarding the Vector Institute, please contact Ian Gormely at [email protected]. For media enquiries regarding ICTC, please contact Anne Patterson at [email protected].
This partnership ensures that Ontario maintains a vibrant commercial AI ecosystem where AI talent wants to live and build their careers, contributing to Canada's goal of growing its innovation-driven economy and expanding the global competitiveness of its small business sector.
- The collaboration between the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) and the Vector Institute, anchored in ICTC's national Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital program, aims to provide 150 student placements over the next three years, giving emerging talent hands-on experience in artificial intelligence (AI), which is crucial for thriving in the AI sector.
- By aligning educational initiatives with industry needs, this partnership will also accelerate the modernization and migration of AI technologies, such as through cloud platforms like AWS, enhancing Canada’s technological infrastructure and innovation capacity.
- This strategic partnership supports AI startups, helping to scale innovation by fostering an ecosystem where new AI-driven companies can grow and commercialize their technologies effectively.
- The Vector Institute, with its unique position to connect Ontario's AI talent with SMEs and startups from its FastLane community, will embed students within this network of AI-enabled startup businesses, providing students with real-world work experience, essential for their career development.
- This $1.5 million investment in Canada's AI ecosystem is a strategic move towards ensuring that Canadian talent drives global competitiveness in emerging technologies, maintaining Ontario as a vibrant commercial AI ecosystem where AI talent wants to live and build their careers.
