As the CEO of WEtech Alliance, I have had the privilege of witnessing the tech landscape of our region alongside Canada’s and the USA’s.

Recently, an important study conducted by Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) in collaboration with Canada’s Tech Network (CTN) was released, shedding light on the migration patterns of tech workers across Canada.

In this blog post, I would like to share my perspective on this study and discuss what it means for our region.

The report, titled “Tech Workforce Trends: The Migration of Tech Jobs Since The Pandemic” delves into the globalization and migration of tech occupations in Canada, revealing fascinating insights. Notably, Windsor emerges as the metro area with the highest growth rate at 28% over the past year, followed by Cape Breton, NS, and Timmins, ON. Ontario takes the lead with the highest concentration of tech workers and a staggering 13,129 job postings with exceptionally high hiring demand.

The report attributes the influx of tech workers to Canada to its more immigration-friendly national policies and the advantage of lower labor costs.

In the period between April 2022 and March 2023 alone, Canada welcomed 32,115 new workers, with a significant number originating from India and Nigeria. These findings not only reinforce the growth of Canada’s tech ecosystem but also address the ongoing global talent shortage by filling the need for skilled workers.

This data holds particular significance for companies seeking to expand their workforce in regions like Windsor-Essex and beyond.

By analyzing the migration trends, educational pipeline, and tech occupation demographics, we can gain valuable insights that will guide us in effectively positioning our region to attract and retain the best talent. By delving deeper into the regional data, we can uncover the challenges we face and identify the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

(Gained Talent – Lost Talent)

• Karnataka, India (+797 net change)
• Maharashtra, India (+688 net change)
• Gujarat, India (+417 net change)
• Telangana, India (+392 net change)
• Tamil Nadu, India (+386 net change)
• Ukraine (+353 net change)
• Quebec, Canada (+309 net change)
• Delhi, India (+290 net change)
• Kerala, India (+246 net change)
• Nigeria (+217 net change)

Windsor
• Gained: 557 tech workers
• Lost: 166 tech workers

Greater Windsor Metropolitan Area
• Tech Industry Workforce: 7,375
• 1-Yr % Change: 28%
• Job Posts: 79
• Current Hiring Demand: High
• Females: 26%
• Males: 74%
• Gender Gap: 48%
• Top Employer: University of Windsor

Chatham-Kent Area
• Tech Industry Workforce: 722
• 1-Yr % Change: 12.6%
• Job Posts: 32
• Current Hiring Demand: Low
• Females: 27%
• Males: 73%
• Gender Gap: 46%
• Top Employer: TekSavvy Solutions Inc.

Top 3 fields of study supplying this tech occupation cluster are: Computer Science, Information Technology, and Electrical Engineering.

University of Windsor
• Recent Graduates 3,124 (27% Female and 73% Male)

St. Clair College
• Recent Graduates 1,485 (27% Female and 73% Male)

The findings of this study hold significance for our region’s tech ecosystem. They provide insights, learnings, and opportunities into how we can attract and retain top talent, foster innovation, and drive economic growth.

Below are some key implications worth exploring.

The study should push us to identify our region’s unique strengths and competitive advantages, enabling us to leverage them effectively in talent attraction and retention efforts. By understanding what makes our region attractive to tech professionals, we can tailor our strategies to highlight these aspects and stand out in a competitive market.

Regional Efforts/Example: In June 2022, Invest WindsorEssex (IWE), the lead economic development organization for the Windsor-Essex region, launched a marketing campaign in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana targeting small to medium-sized technology companies to expand their operations into Canada’s rapidly growing automobility capital. The campaign, Windsor-Essex: A Bridge to Your Future, showcased the region as a prime location for foreign direct investment as a result of its strategic location, access to world-class talent, quality of life and thriving innovation ecosystem.

The campaign strategy includes videos, social media, billboards, display ads and search engine marketing tactics designed to drive audiences to a landing page (TheFutureIsWe.ca) profiling the Windsor-Essex region’s value proposition and next steps to future expansion.

Coordinated Marketing Campaigns: Regions can join forces or engage in regional/national/bi-national collaborations to launch marketing campaigns that highlight the collective opportunities and advantages of their tech ecosystems. By showcasing the region as a unified entity, these campaigns appeal to tech talent seeking diverse job prospects and a vibrant community that goes beyond national boundaries.

Drawing inspiration from successful initiatives like Forbes 30 Under 30 hosted in Detroit, we can explore potential sponsorship or partnership opportunities to leverage such high-profile events.

Additionally, we could consider collaborating with other regions, following the example of Communitech, which utilized billboards to attract tech workers from the United States. By leveraging collective marketing efforts, we can amplify our message and enhance our appeal to tech professionals.

To gain valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the tech landscape, it is crucial to actively engage with tech employees, students, and professionals. By listening to their experiences and perceptions, we can uncover valuable information that informs our strategies and initiatives.

A prime example of this engagement is the “Tech Connect” report released in February 2020 by WEtech Alliance in partnership with Workforce WindsorEssex. This comprehensive report, developed over a seven-month period, delves into the tech sector of the Windsor-Essex region. With over 30 pages of analysis, the Tech Connect report highlights key challenges identified by the tech community and provides actionable recommendations based on thorough research. By actively seeking input from those directly involved in the tech industry, we can ensure our efforts are aligned with their needs and aspirations.

Here is an excerpt from the study:

The study reveals the rapid growth of Canada’s tech sector, positioning it as the second-largest global innovation hub and the fastest-growing. By prioritizing this thriving industry, we can proactively address talent retention challenges, attraction opportunities, and cultivate an environment that fosters long-term commitment from tech talent, startups and companies.

Given the industry’s reliance on skilled individuals, it is vital to create a vibrant urban environment that appeals to talented professionals.

By nurturing a tech-friendly ecosystem, we magnetize highly skilled individuals, bolster our local workforce, and drive knowledge-based economic growth.

Attracting Tech Companies and Startups: A strong pool of tech talent can act as a magnet for tech companies and startups. When businesses see that a region has a thriving tech community, they are more likely to establish a presence there, leading to job creation, investments, and increased entrepreneurial activity.

Invest in Education: Institutions of higher education act as engines of innovation and job creation, particularly leveraging their ability to attract international talent.

Levering the recently launched Canada’s first-ever Tech Talent Strategy and Immigration-friendly Advantage. This new strategy includes new measures and improvements on existing measures to help businesses in Canada thrive in a competitive landscape. The program is set to bring 10,000 highly skilled professionals to our country, fortifying our position as a leading destination for tech talent.

Fostering a Vibrant Tech Community: Actively engaging and supporting the regional tech community is paramount. By facilitating and participating in tech meetups, conferences, hackathons, and similar events, we can forge connections with tech professionals and entrepreneurs, foster knowledge sharing, and cultivate networking opportunities. These initiatives play a pivotal role in cultivating a strong sense of community and positioning our region as an appealing destination for tech talent. Community organizations like Windsor Hackforge and Google Developer Groups exemplify the positive impact of such engagement efforts.

Business Incentives and Support Programs: Create an attractive environment for startups and scale-ups by offering a range of incentives and support programs. These can include tax incentives, grants, venture funds, and pilot initiatives. While financial assistance is valuable, it is also essential to streamline bureaucratic processes and remove red tape to facilitate the growth of startups. A prime example is the city of Phoenix, which opened its doors to Waymo, a self-driving company, allowing them to pilot their Waymo One self-driving taxi service.

Talent Attraction Programs: Establish talent exchange programs that allow tech professionals to work on projects or gain experience in different locations. These programs provide opportunities for professionals to expand their networks, share knowledge, and gain exposure to different tech ecosystems, ultimately fostering cross-pollination of ideas and talent retention. A great example is TechPoint’s full-time paid internship program, XTERN, that places 200+ students with Indiana tech employers. The Xtern program recruits students from 30+ campuses in the region and beyond to foster the next generation of tech builders. Students live on a campus together and share their experiences working for your company with their peers.

Attractive Compensation Packages and Work Arrangements: The study highlights the wage gap between average tech occupations in the USA and Canada, underscoring the importance of offering competitive salaries and benefits to attract top talent. Although Canada has a wage incentive, employers should regularly benchmark their compensation packages against market rates to ensure they remain competitive. Furthermore, embracing the future of work, including hybrid or remote work options, can be a significant draw for tech professionals seeking flexibility and work-life balance.

Invest in Infrastructure: Continually invest in technology infrastructure, including high-speed internet, co-working spaces, and research facilities. A robust tech infrastructure demonstrates your city’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for tech innovation and growth.

Expanding the Reach of Tech Jobs: The growing significance of tech jobs beyond the traditional tech industry cannot be overlooked. According to a recent report by CompTIA, these positions account for a substantial 59% of all job opportunities. This finding carries particular weight for our region, highlighting the diverse range of tech roles available.

Whether you are an employer looking to hire skilled tech professionals or an individual aspiring to pursue a career in technology, take advantage of the free Tech Jobs Board provided by WEtech Alliance. By posting your job openings on this platform, we will actively promote them, ensuring that they reach a wide audience of potential candidates.

Drawing Inspiration from Our Neighbors: Consider the immense possibilities that lie ahead as a community, with the vibrant city of #Detroit right at our doorstep. We are fortunate to have a front-row seat and an opportunity to learn from their remarkable journey of growth and revitalization, particularly in the tech and startup ecosystem. In fact, Detroit’s consistent climb in Startup Genome‘s annual Global Ranking serves as an inspiring testament to their progress. By observing their successes and leveraging their experiences, we can glean valuable insights and apply them to our own region. This close proximity presents a unique advantage that can fuel our own tech ecosystem, promote collaboration, and contribute to our collective development and prosperity.

Other Resources: Workforce WindsorEssex’s Strategies for Talent Attraction and Retention Toolkit for Windsor-Essex or Workforce Windsor-Essex’s 2022-2023 Local Labour Market Plan (pg.48)

With a deeper understanding of the migration patterns of tech workers, in-demand occupations and skills, and tech occupation demographics, we can foster stronger collaboration with other partners and regions that have complementary strengths, etc..

By establishing partnerships and exchanging best practices, we can collectively enhance the tech ecosystem in Canada, attracting global attention and fueling innovation.

Enhancing Collaboration with Immigration and Settlement Agencies: By forging strong partnerships and fostering collaboration with diverse settlement agencies and immigration initiatives, we can amplify our support for newcomers to the region. Through increased coordination and shared resources, we can facilitate a seamless transition and provide comprehensive assistance to individuals and families as they settle in our community. Recognizing the power of collaboration, we can collectively address the unique needs of newcomers, develop tailored support programs, and cultivate a welcoming environment that nurtures their successful integration. By embracing this collaborative approach, we not only enhance the experiences of newcomers but also contribute to the overall growth, diversity, and prosperity of our region.

Regional Efforts/Example:

• Tech Connect: Through our Tech Connect initiative, WEtech, along with partners, aims to support students, professionals, and employers in the tech industry. It aims to facilitate networking opportunities, help individuals land tech jobs, tap into the local talent pool, and connect with the vibrant tech community in our region. Tech Connect 2.0 serves as a gateway to various programs, events, and initiatives within the regional tech ecosystem. The Tech Connect Thursday events held during the fall/winter term of 2022-2023 saw an impressive registration of over 500 students and professionals, highlighting the program’s popularity and effectiveness in connecting individuals within the tech sector.
• EVCareers.ca: Workforce WindsorEssex, Invest WindsorEssex, WEtech Alliance, University of Windsor, and St. Clair College are working on a new website called EV Careers. The website, which is not yet public, is aimed at helping people understand what opportunities are available in the EV sector and how do upgrade skills or transition into these jobs.

Supporting Workforce Development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
The study allows us to assess our workforce development initiatives with the demands and aspirations of tech professionals. By identifying the emerging skills and tech occupation areas that are in high demand, we can collaborate with educational institutions, training organizations, and industry partners to ensure our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

According to the study, the top tech skills in demand among tech occupations are:

1. Customer Experience
2. Microsoft Azure
3. Analytical Skills
4. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
5. React.js
6. Jira
7. Data science
8. GitHub

According to the study, Software Development occupations are the largest portion of tech worker skills in Canada and the fastest growing skills among tech occupations.

The study also highlights the ongoing need to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within tech programs and occupations.

Fortunately, there are remarkable regional organizations, such as Build A Dream, Black Boys Code, and WEST of Windsor, that are actively supporting these efforts.

In this space, WEtech has remained dedicated with regular events and programs like Tech Women Day and Roadmap to MVP program. Additionally, we are proud to have launched our Women in Mobility peer group, our annual Women in Tech Award, and regular Women in Tech Spotlights, all aimed at promoting and empowering underrepresented individuals in the tech industry.

Together, we can continue to drive meaningful change and cultivate a more diverse and inclusive tech community.

Moving forward, collaboration will play a pivotal role in driving progress and making a meaningful impact in our region. To take the next step, we can draw inspiration from the Windsor Works report, titled “An Economic Development Strategy for the City’s Future Growth”.

The report suggests utilizing the city’s influential position and leadership to establish supportive groups aligned with the strategy outlined in the report. The first group identified for immediate action is the Talent Taskforce. I strongly believe that embracing this recommendation and initiating the Talent Taskforce is an excellent stride forward towards our shared goals.

Workforce WindsorEssex has been making significant strides in addressing the labour market challenges faced by the region. The organization has launched various reports and digital tools to provide analysis and recommendations on the region’s workforce.

Recently, the organization launched an Electric Vehicle Industry Support Committee, comprising key local stakeholders representing the EV sector, Employment Ontario service providers, Ontario ministries, and educational institutions. This committee aims to address current and emerging workforce needs in the EV industry.

Workforce WindsorEssex’s efforts have been crucial in helping employers overcome challenges related to recruitment, retention, and growth, and promoting education for career pathways.

In light of the challenges faced by regions, including ours, regarding land development, one potential solution lies in attracting and nurturing tech companies within our community. Tech companies are known for their ability to operate efficiently within smaller physical footprints compared to traditional industries. This efficiency enables them to optimize productivity and innovation, reducing the reliance on extensive office complexes and land.

By attracting tech companies, we have the opportunity to infuse our downtown cores with fresh energy, revitalizing under-utilized buildings and areas. This, in turn, can stimulate economic growth and breathe new life into local businesses. A prime example of this is Rocket Mortgage Canada and Rocket Innovation Studio, demonstrating the positive impact tech companies can have on revitalizing our region.

Lastly, while there is much discussion about incentives for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Electric Vehicles, it is important not to overlook the significance of the U.S.’s CHIPS act for Canada’s tech ecosystem and border towns. With $10 billion in funding, CHIPS aims to develop Tech Hubs and deliver emerging technologies to the middle class.

It is crucial for our innovation ecosystem to remain competitive and ensure that our tech hubs are well-prepared for the future.

The Canada Tech Worker Migration study has provided us with valuable insights into the movement of tech professionals across the country.

As we reflect on its findings, it is essential for us to embrace these insights, leverage our strengths and opportunities, and address any gaps or challenges. By doing so, we can position our region as an appealing destination for tech talent, startups, and companies, cultivate an environment conducive to innovation, and drive economic prosperity.

Canada and our region hold immense potential, and the time has come for us to seize these opportunities.

In response to the report’s findings of the significant influx of talented individuals – 557 to be exact – who have returned to our area, WEtech Alliance is thrilled to announce the launch of “557,” an innovative campaign aimed at fostering connections and collaboration among tech workers and entrepreneurs who have recently relocated to (or back to) our region.

Recognizing the immense potential of this talent pool, the 557 campaign seeks to create a thriving tech ecosystem where new professionals, entrepreneurs, and students can connect, share resources, and leverage collective knowledge.