In January, the Government of Canada launched the GC Digital Talent Platform, which serves as a centralized hub for connecting internal and external individuals to a range of digital and tech roles.
The Government this week affirmed that it is “committed to building digital talent.”
Part of the way Canada intends to build tech talent is to “deliver best-in-class digital programs and services for all Canadians.”
Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, announced an investment of nearly $5 million to support the IT Community Training and Development Fund.
The fund, supported by an annual federal investment every April, aims to support the professional development of over 20,000 IT practitioners working within the Government of Canada.
“The Government of Canada is building its digital talent to deliver best-in-class services to Canadian in the digital age,” stated Anand. “The IT Community Training and Development Fund will help our efforts to future-proof our public service by building in-house technical expertise to ensure we deliver high quality and reliable services that Canadians deserve.”
The fund was established under the latest collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada.
“This fund is a positive step in recognizing and supporting the career development of IT professionals who are the backbone of our federal government’s digital presence,” stated Jennifer Carr, President of the PIPSC.
The fund will be managed jointly by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and PIPSC and will support ongoing efforts to equip the government’s IT professionals with the latest digital skills and knowledge.
“This investment not only expands skill-building opportunities for our members but also has the potential to reduce the government’s reliance on outsourcing,” Carr continued.
“By strengthening in-house expertise, we can preserve critical institutional knowledge, reduce dependency on IT consultants, and ensure the high-quality, cost-effective services Canadian taxpayers expect,” she said.
