D Hiring Grants + Skills Development E V There’s a skill shortage in B.C. Innovate BC is helping to bridge the gap through E L various talent development programs. These programs target three specific O P groups: underrepresented people (skills aquisition), young professionals I N (skills development), and established professionals (upskilling, reskilling). G T These programs are making a difference here in B.C. This past year, 188 youth participated in Digital Skills H Innovate BC’s hiring grants enable B.C. tech for Youth (DS4Y), a program that aims to increase E employers to hire entry-level talent, freeing up employability of underemployed youth through experienced team members to focus on revenue- employment opportunities with SMEs and digital T generating projects. skill training. A Innovate BC delivered the Innovator Skills Initiative Innovate BC also funded the Palette Skills initiative L in B.C. with a goal to rapidly train and upskill 60 British E in 2021/22 to help underrepresented people obtain N their first job in the tech sector and to support Columbians for careers in growing industries and T companies facing skills shortages to grow. connecting them with companies that are hiring now. O F T O M O R R 75% 78% 96% 98% O W of companies found employment of employees plan of participants identified reporting talent in tech sector after to stay in B.C. after as underrepresented shortages program the program (DS4Y & Innovator Skills Initiative)