The University of Victoria is collaborating with Lighthouse Labs to train local participants to work in the ICT and tech sector through a number of fully-funded scholarships. The partnership is one of 30 across the country that's part of a national program titled ICT Boost, which is funded by just over $21.2 million dollars from the federal government through its Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program. Nationwide, ICT Boost plans to train more than 1,700 people to pursue careers in web development, data science, and cyber security, with an emphasis on supporting participation from marginalized populations.

Lighthouse Labs, a Canadian tech education company, first established a satellite campus in Victoria a number of years ago, said Stephanie Wilson, vice president of social impact and global partnerships at the company. When a call for proposals came from the federal government to train Canadians for careers in in-demand sectors, the company saw a good opportunity to grow its involvement in the region. "We really felt like it was important for us to stay connected to the community and really continue that collaboration," she told Victoria Tech Journal.

Alongside UVic, Wilson named VIATEC and community partners such as the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria as key to the effective and appropriate launch in the region. “This is a very consortium-built program,” Wilson said. “We have everything from essential-skills training to mental health supports, daycare and tech stipends, living wages, [and] wage supports for employers [...] For us, it really was about developing [ICT Boost] in conversation with our partners, and making sure that it was a holistic, community-driven approach.”

ICT Boost will run until March 2024. Interested participants can visit Lighthouse Labs for more information, or register for the Continuing Studies @UVic and Lighthouse Labs information session on Tuesday, February 23.