Saskatchewan confronts talent shortage as tech sector sees 100% growth

Saskatchewan’s tech sector added more than 200 jobs during the first nine months of 2018 and that number is expected to double in 2019, says SaskTech, an advocacy group representing over 50 technology companies across the province. The growth rate of Saskatchewan-based tech companies has averaged 100% in the past year, SaskTech says. Two big investments and a buy-out have contributed to the hiring boom: a $13.4-million Series A investment in 7shifts, a Saskatoon-based scheduling platform for restaurants; a $4.2-million investment in Saskatoon-based Coconut Software; and the acquisition in November of Regina-based agtech firm IntraGrain Technologies Inc. by Ottawa-headquartered Calian Group Ltd.. The president of SaskTech, Aaron Genest, says its members continue to struggle to find qualified professionals to fill positions. Innovation Saskatchewan Minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor says the government will continue working with SaskTech and post-secondary institutions to ensure tech companies have the talent they need.