TekX launched to stave off brain drain

Sep 4, 2024 | 1:39 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The tech sector is one of the fastest in-demand careers in BC. In fact, the most recent Labour Market Outlook presented by the Province shows: “Software engineers and designers, as well as Computer engineers, are examples of tech HOO [High Opportunity Occupations], with 16 percent of the overall HOO list belonging to the tech sector. As technology and the tech sector continue to grow, so will the demand for occupations in that area.”

And this school district, along with the College of New Caledonia and the University of Northern BC are making hay of the fact, with the creation of what’s called TekX.

“It’s a five-week university transfer course compliment that they get a certificate from. And it’s all in the realm of of technology and network security and how to hack ethically hacking D 3D imaging and then you know using drones for for productive things,” explains Lee Karpenko, Assistant Superintendent of School District 57.

TekX students can earn post-secondary credits while still in high school., where they also earn credits toward their graduation. And, the post-secondary credit portion is free.

“So the kids are getting credit for high school, are getting credit for university and parents aren’t having to pay tuition. I think the only cost for this program is the books that are involved in it. And so it’s it’s a great opportunity to dip your toes into post-secondary while being supported at at their home high school,” says Karpenko.

This region has had Career Technical Centre programs in place for years, designed to address what seen as a shortage of labourers. This program is along the same lines.

“And it’s a creative higher level in terms of what we’re trying to do, in terms of engaging the students in post-secondary learning. And then hopefully that will inspire them to look at post-secondary learning in technology,” says Shelley Carter-Rose, CNC’s Vice President of Student Affairs.

The Labour Market Outlook also noted: “Young people entering the workforce will continue to be the largest source of new labour supply, contributing more than 48,000 new job seekers or 47 percent of the new labour supply on average each year over the next decade.”

There are currently twenty students in the first cohort of this program in September. But applications are open for January with twenty more seats. That application period closes at the end of November.