SAIT program to help fill gaps in tech industry

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is introducing a new program to help people change careers and fill some gaps in Calgary’s booming tech industry.

SAIT says the program includes Product Management, User Experience Design, and Product Go-To-Market Strategy.

Lora Bucsis, manager of Digital Programs from SAIT’s Centre for Continuing Education and Professional Studies says there is a need for this program.

“We consulted numerous companies and they consistently stressed the importance of increasing access and filling both the technical and interpersonal skills gaps needed to thrive in tech,” she said.

“This flexible and collaborative delivery model will help us do just that, giving industry a much-needed talent boost in a short amount of time. People often think a role in tech means learning how to code, which isn’t always the reality. We need people to understand roles in product management, market strategy and user experience are just as critical.”

Bucsis says they have heard from the tech sector about the need for different skills.

“We hear lot from the industry, that you know what’s really missing I think in terms of sometimes training programs is the soft skills, is critical thinking, is problem-solving,” she said. “And that’s … what we’re trying to address in the program.”

The tech school adds the 12-week applied industry “boot camp” will help people change their career more quickly, which will give “the talent pipeline a much-needed boost.”

“Students enrolled in each of the SAIT programs will intersect simultaneously and collaborate with developers and industry partners during the capstone project component of each
course, much like they would in a real-world setting,” SAIT said in a statement.

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The statement adds a recent report from Leger says there is little knowledge about the tech industry among Canadians.

“Among 12 different tech jobs shown to Canadians, less than half knew ‘a little’ or ‘a lot’ about them. Low knowledge levels are likely a barrier to entering the tech industry,” according to the Leger report.

SAIT adds the program offers candidates mentorship by experienced mentors.

Meanwhile, the tech school collaborated with the known Calgary-based Tacit Edge to bring the “Product Management element of the programs” to life.

Renee Matsalla, co-founder at Tacit Edge, says this collaboration will improve the industry.

“What the SAIT programming means for industry and the tech sector regionally and further afield is attraction and retention of qualified product managers, a skill set which impacts not only the technology sector but all industries,” Matsalla said.

The three boot camps start on Saturday, Jan. 14, and applications are now open.

— With files from Lisa Grant.