07 December 2007

Business leaders say Canada needs more 'technological talent'

Canadian businesses have established an organisation to push for action to address the shortage of skilled IT workers in the country. Britons with IT qualifications and experience who are applying for a Canadian visa will find a warm welcome at major IT services providers.

The Canadian Coalition for Tomorrow's IT Skills includes prominent firms and was announced on Tuesday in Montreal, the Canadian Press agency reports.

"Bell has taken the initiative of bringing together the major players in the Canadian economy to face this important challenge as a group," said Stephane Boisvert, president of Bell Canada's enterprise division in a statement.

"Our goal is to stop the current erosion of technological talent and infuse Canada's IT sector with a new vitality," he added.

Other companies involved include IT services providers Rogers Communications and CGI Group, telecom equipment firm Nortel Networks and Avaya. Non-IT members include transportation giants Canadian National Railway and Air Canada and a number of major public-sector companies and financial institutions.

Canada needs skilled immigrants: The Canadian Visa Bureau can assist skilled workers interested in Canadian immigration. More information on Canadian visas is available on the website. Anyone applying for a Canadian visa should begin by completing the online Canadian visa application to see if they meet the legislative requirements.