Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (ACOA), the Honourable Fred J. Mifflin, and Premier Pat Binns of the Province of Prince Edward Island, announced today the results of a survey conducted under the Knowledge Economy Partnership. The purpose of the Knowledge Worker Demand Survey was to gather baseline data on information technology employment in Prince Edward Island. It encompassed the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the private sector, the University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College. The private sector portion of the survey was conducted by the Information Technologies Association of PEI (ITAP) with $17,700 in funding from the Knowledge Economy Partnership (KEP).
The survey found that the information technology sector on the Island now accounts for approximately 900 jobs and that number should increase by 80 percent over the next three years. The private sector is expected to account for 88 percent of those new jobs. The survey also indicates those new jobs will likely be concentrated in customer service and support positions and specialty areas such as software development and maintenance. As a Knowledge Economy Partnership project, the survey provides vital information for the partners, whose next step is to work with Island education and employment organizations to develop a broad range of supply strategies.
"This is an ideal opportunity for government, educational institutions and the private sector to work together to ensure the necessary skilled workers are available," said Minister Mifflin. "The Government of Canada is proud to be working in partnership with the province of PEI and others to develop knowledge-based industries, especially when they are so essential to providing quality service to Canadians."
"Gathering this information is another important step in creating a competitive knowledge-based economy on PEI," said Premier Binns. "Now that we have a good handle on the expected demand, we can put in place strategies to develop our workforce accordingly. The development of a solid supply strategy will ensure future growth of the IT industry and employment opportunities for Islanders," he added.
The working group for the Knowledge Worker Demand Survey is made up of representatives from the federal and provincial governments, the Information Technologies Association of PEI, the University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College. The group will be meeting with key stakeholders to identify a variety of ways that PEI might meet this demand.
"The development of an educated and skilled workforce is the most important factor for the growth of our industry, both locally and nationally," said Ed Lawlor, president of ITAP. "As the survey indicates, the information technology sector expects employment to grow over the next three years, with new and exciting ventures opening up to PEI, ITAP is pleased to partner with KEP on this project and looks forward to developing strategies to address these needs."
The Knowledge Economy Partnership is an initiative of the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island, the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College and private sector business. The goal of the partnership is to advance the growth of the knowledge economy on Prince Edward Island.
Copies of the Knowledge Worker Demand Survey consolidated report are available through Island Information Service at 11 Kent Street. By phone, call toll free 1-800-236-5196 from anywhere on the Island, or 368-4000 in Charlottetown.