Welcome to the Midweek Memo which features a bit of news and a bunch of upcoming events. In this issue, learn about how InceptionU is expanding its program offerings to reduce barriers to tech roles for under-represented groups – plus, as usual, some exciting upcoming events and meetups. By the way, our last executive Briefing featured 9 recent stories you may have missed. See you on Sunday for the next one.

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$1.2M grant to help reduce barriers to tech-related roles

This fall, Calgary’s InceptionU plans to launch a new workforce development program to help people with little to no technical exposure move into tech-adjacent roles that will help Alberta tech companies grow faster with home-grown talent.

InceptionU is already well-known for its Evolve Full Stack Developer program, and now, a $1.2 million grant from the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development will enable it expand its offerings to four streams of tech-adjacent career paths.

“We want Albertans to know there are multiple pathways into the tech and innovation sector. We’re excited that this program will benefit Albertans who are under-represented in tech-related roles,” says InceptionU co-founder and CEO Margo Purcell. “More talent is needed in Alberta than traditional training programs can produce. The option of an accelerated learning program with hands-on industry-related experience will open the door for more people to enter the tech workforce that Alberta needs right now.”

Tech-adjacent roles are accessible for those with little-to-no tech exposure or experience, reducing barriers of entry for groups that are under-represented in tech-related roles such as youth, women, Indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada, racialized communities, older workers, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities.

The Tech Adjacent program is unique because participants engage in deep career work up front before picking the technical stream they are most interested in and well suited for.

The four streams of programming are full-stack design, coding support, growth marketing and lean sales. InceptionU has partnered with 321 Growth Academy, an organization that has deep roots in the tech ecosystem in Alberta to support the delivery of the marketing and sales streams through their OnRamp program.

Applications for the program open on June 5th with the first cohort beginning September 18th.

Now, let's check out what's on deck in Calgary tech...

mesh conference | April 12-13

mesh is a national event hosted in two Canadian cities — Calgary and Toronto – focused on digital transformation and how it's reimagining business in the digital age.

Spark the Future: Innovation and the future of ESG | April 17

The Calgary Chamber’s Spark the Future series brings together a number of sectors, including energy, agriculture and technology – to talk about the most pressing challenges facing our economy and our business community.

Alberta Technology Symposium | April 26-27

The Alberta Technology Symposium is set to bring a spotlight to Alberta's incredible technology sector. The two-day event features more than 45 speakers and will showcase leading innovators in machine learning, IoT, and other emerging technologies.

NORTH51 Conference | May 10-12

The fifth annual NORTH51 Conference takes place at the Rimrock Resort in Banff on May 10-12, 2023, and features keynotes, presentations, panels, and invaluable networking opportunities. The speakers and presenters at NORTH51 bring a unique and wide-ranging perspective as their share emerging ideas, technology breakthroughs, and their predictions about where the future will take us.

For more local tech and business events, check out our friends at In the Know YYC.

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