EDGE UP 2.0 grads ready to seize opportunities in tech

January 19, 2023
Reskilling & Upskilling Technology Talent
EDGE UP 2

More than 140 Calgarians graduated in the latest cohort from EDGE UP 2.0: A Scaling Opportunity, joining Calgary’s fast-growing tech sector as innovation continues to drive growth and job creation across diverse industries.   

EDGE UP, which stands for the Energy to Digital Growth Education and Upskilling Program, supports professionals displaced from the energy sector to pivot their careers into tech. The eight-month tech training course features focus areas in product management, data analytics, cyber security, AWS cloud computing, full stack software development and IT network management.  

“EDGE UP was designed to create job mobility in high growth sectors of the Albertan and Canadian economy,” said program partner, Namir Anani, President and CEO of Information and Communications Technology Council. 

“The skills and digital knowledge graduates receive from the program are becoming critical to the essence of any high-performing digital economy, specifically in an increasingly global and competitive environment.”  

EDGE UP graduates develop in-demand tech skills while leveraging their existing business acumen and project management skills. With an average of 14 years of work experience, EDGE UP graduates are prepared for a career transition across all sectors of the economy. 

“Growing our pipeline of talent with relevant digital skillsets is key to our city’s growth and for our long-term prosperity,” said Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development. 

“We know that upskilling talent through collaboration will continue to play a pivotal role in Calgary’s new economy.” 

Local employers are integrally involved through the program.  In 2022, over 100 local employers were engaged in EDGE UP through work-integrated learning opportunities, capstone projects and post-program career opportunities.  

Calgary’s economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy, aims to create opportunities for the economic participation of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, newcomers and equity-deserving groups. Of the EDGE UP graduates, 44 per cent are newcomers or racialized people, 24 per cent are women and 40 per cent have a PhD or Master’s degree. 

While Calgary has experienced 22 per cent growth in tech talent over the past five years, ranking 28th among the Top 50 North American markets in the CBRE’s 2022 Scoring Tech Talent report, demand for skilled talent remains high to fuel the growth of innovative companies. 

Since its launch in 2019, close to 200 EDGE UP participants have secured employment or are pursuing further training. 

EDGE UP 2.0 is led by Calgary Economic Development and is delivered in partnership with the Future Skills Centre, Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), University of Calgary Continuing Education, SAIT, Mount Royal University, Bow Valley College, and Riipen. 

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre, training is provided for free to eligible participants. 

For more information on how to participate or connect with EDGE UP 2.0 graduates, visit the EDGE UP website.  

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