JABC TECHWORKS
2020 - 2021
With over 10,000 companies facilitating 100,000 jobs, B.C.’s technology sector employs more people than forestry, mining, oil & gas and utilities combined and continues to be one of the top five contributors to the provincial economy. An additional 83,000 jobs are expected to be added by 2027, many of which are roles that don’t even exist yet. Future employees need to be highly-skilled and adaptable in this rapidly changing business world. JABC TechWorks was launched in 2017 to encourage youth to consider their education choices as they approach their senior years and inspire them to consider a career in B.C.’s technology sector and beyond.
We were pleased to expand the program to Vancouver Island in late 2018 and then to the Okanagan Valley in early 2020. The suspension of in-school instruction in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that JABC had to transition this program into a fully virtual one for 2021. JABC launched TechWorks 2.0 on March 2, 2021 where over 2,000 students from urban, rural and Indigenous communities joined us online to connect with industry speakers. A second program was held on May 12, 2021 where another 2,500 students joined in the fun. A total of 4,500 students across B.C. attended TechWorks 2.0 over the four 75 minute sessions offered, quadrupling our reach over the previous year.
JABC TECHWORKS INTRODUCES B.C. YOUTH TO THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE
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This was a really good experience and gave me plenty of confidence for my future career. TechWorks highlighted many future potential paths, exciting me for the future. Thank you. - Grade 9 Student at Vancouver Christian School
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#81 Fort Nelson
#60 Peace River North
#82 Coast Mountains FN: Nus Wadeezulh School
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#91 Nechako Lakes
#52 Prince Rupert
#57 Prince George
#28 Quesnel
#27 Cariboo-Chilcotin
#74 Gold Trail
#73 KamloopsThompson
#83 North Okanagan-Shuswap #22 Vernon
#47 Powell River #72 Campbell River #71 Comox Valley
#45 West Vancouver
#44 North Vancouver
#39 Vancouver
#41 Burnaby
#40 New Westminster
#79 Cowichan Valley
#62 Sooke
#78 Fraser-Cascade
#23 Central Okanagan
#08 Kootenay Lake
#05 Southeast Kootenay
#36 Surrey
#37 Delta
FN: W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Secondary
#58 Nicola Similkameen
#43 Coquitlam
#38 Richmond #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith
FN: Skatin Community School
#35 Langley
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#63 Saanich #61 Greater Victoria
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Over the past year, JABC has had the opportunity to support B.C. educators by delivering programs in new ways that has allowed more students to access them, especially those in rural and Indigenous communities. Most notably JABC TechWorks saw quadruple the number of student participants over last year because it was delivered online. Since JABC TechWorks inception in 2017, student reach has increased by almost 1,400%. Demand for such capstone experiences continues to grow for B.C. educators. 5,000
As a teacher, I was so impressed by the quality of presenters and the amount of information. Students Reached
For a young person, these workshops show the incredible opportunities available. I also like the constant message of passion for what you love to do, dedication, hard work, and going out of your comfort zone.
4,565 4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
Thank you, again. - Bev Waterfield, St. Margaret's School
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305
2016-17
402
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
School Year
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View Highlight Reel | View a Breakout Session Video
OPENING PLENARY The opening presentation introduced students to the world of technology. Hosted by student favorite and returning emcee, Andrew MacLean, participants learned that technology is in everything we do and that everyone should become tech-enabled, no matter what career they choose. Len Pierre of the Katzie First Nation explained why territory welcomes were important and Rocky Ozaki, an expert on the future work talked about B.C.'s tech scene. Cybele Negris, the founder of Webnames.ca wrapped up the session with the next steps and takeaways for students.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS + LIVE Q&A Nine virtual breakout sessions were offered by Accenture, Dyspatch, Finning, LNG Canada, MDA, SAP, Sony Pictures Imageworks, StarFish Medical, and Teck. Students watched professionally produced, pre-recorded company videos prior to JABC TechWorks and selected a breakout session to join and take a deeper dive into the sector and career opportunities available. Industry professionals answered student questions in a live, moderated Q&A session. Educators will continue to have access to an on-demand video library of the pre-recorded company videos.
CLOSING PLENARY The May session offered an additional closing plenary session where students participated in a friendly Tech Salary Trivia competition. Hosted by Amanjit Bains from RBC Royal Bank, the activity made students aware of the earning potential in a tech-related career. 5
As part of JABC's ongoing efforts to deliver relevant and meaningful learning experiences for youth, we survey students after they attend JABC TechWorks to learn more about their attitude and awareness of technology-related careers. The survey results demonstrate that JABC TechWorks provides valuable, eye-opening lessons for students who will soon need to make decisions about their future careers. Responses from the May 12th program:
66%
66% of students shared they are now more likely to be comfortable using tech in their career someday
65%
65%
65% of students are now more familiar with the types of jobs available in B.C.'s tech sector
65% of students are now more familiar with the salaries offered by tech companies in B.C.
Thank you for sharing tech information with us!! It was very informative and increased my knowledge of the tech industry. - Grade 9 Student at Princess Margaret Secondary
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BRENDA BAILEY Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation, Province of B.C.
AMANJIT BAINS Mortgage Specialist, RBC Royal Bank
OLIVIA LUI User Experience Designer, Best Buy Canada
ANDREW MACLEAN Co-founder, HighTechU
ROCKY OZAKI Founder & CEO, NoW of Work Inc.
EAMONN GAMBLE Director, Technology and Innovation Banking, RBC Royal Bank
CYBELE NEGRIS President, CEO & Co-founder, Webnames.ca
LEN PIERRE Consultant, Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility, Fraser Health Authority 7
Students learned about the variety of careers Accenture offers, a leading professional services company that uses technology to improve how businesses operate. Alan Hadle Hamilton | Ginny Hsiang | Conor Hussey | Woody Iu | Nappy Limapichat | Max Sanders
Veronica Best | Matthew Harris | Matheus Silva
Students found out about how Finning is thinking differently about how they use heavy equipment and generators to build and power a better world.
Kayla King | Ashley Mantifel | Shawn Tetreault
Crystal Sharwood
Wilson Au | Terence Lee | Hailey Szybunka
Dyspatch discussed the diverse set of roles and skills that come together in software product development and how they progress from idea to reality.
Attendees learned about alternative energy solutions and what it takes to be a part of the future of energy.
Classes interested in satellites learned about how they work and what they can do for our world.
This was a very enjoyable event. TechWorks really shed light on many industries I never knew existed. - Grade 6 Student at Gilpin Elementary School
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Armando Elias | Phoebe Lim | Simrin Singh | Jay Wakefield
Greg Berridge | Maribeth Glass
Trevor Grier | Lorenzo Gutierrez
Ashish KC | Kristine Kwok | Jordan Lapp
SAP employees gave students a tour to learn about the process of building a piece of software.
Students tapped into their innovation, imagination and creativity with Sony Pictures Imageworks and learned about the visual effects and animation industry.
StarFish Medical shared a condensed journey through medical device design and development.
Attendees found out how technology and innovation have transformed the mining industry, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.
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Program Supporters
Community Partner
Conference Partner
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360 - 475 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6B 4M9 T: 604.688.3887 jabc.ca | techworks.jabc.ca
Our purpose is to inspire, prepare and empower B.C. youth for lifelong success. We deliver financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs to B.C. students in metro, urban, rural, and Indigenous communities. We acknowledge that our work spans many Territories and that our head office is located on the shared traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Community Partner