tech council university training industry student government
New council to develop Alberta’s tech industrySixteen members have been selected by government to form the Talent AdvisoryCouncil on Technology to provide advice and input on strategies, investmentsand outcomes on tech-related training programs.The council – a mix of leaders from the tech industry and post-secondaryinstitutions, along with student and labour representatives – will shareideas, help inform policy decisions and identify current and futureopportunities to expand Alberta’s tech economy.> “We want to make sure students entering our universities and colleges have> the best possible chances at success. Our economy is changing rapidly, and> we must continue to ensure that our post-secondary training programs keep> pace. With advice from our impressive TACT membership, I know we can> continue to offer Albertans the high-quality, innovative training programs> needed to succeed in our new and diversified economy.”> Marlin Schmidt, Minister of Advanced Education> “It’s the dream of many parents that their child graduates from college or> university and has the opportunity to move right into their chosen field for> their first job. Our government is investing in programs and training that> align with our evolving economy. We’re supporting our province’s growing> tech sector in innovative and collaborative ways, listening to our> stakeholders, and ensuring all Albertans can benefit from this economic> growth.”> Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and TradeThe creation of the Talent Advisory Council on Technology is an importantmilestone in the implementation of the Growth and Diversification Act – thegovernment’s commitment to create an economy built to last, and is an exampleof how the province is preparing Albertans for a diversified and tech-savvyeconomic future. Also included in the act are a number of tax credits toincentivize job creation in the tech sector, and a $50 million investment overthree years to add an additional 3,000 tech learning spaces to the province’spost-secondary system and provide scholarships to students.> “It’s an honour to be selected as co-chair of TACT, and to be able to use my> extensive industry knowledge to help guide the government toward continued> success in the tech sector. I care about the future of the tech sector in> Alberta and I’m glad the government is committed to helping it succeed and> grow.”> Brad Zumwalt, co-chair, TACT## ## Council membersThe 16 members who were selected to serve on TACT will begin their work inAugust and continue to meet until February 2019.#### Co-chairs: * Brad Zumwalt, venture capitalist, Zinc Ventures * Rod Skura, Deputy Minister of Advanced Education #### Industry representatives: * Myrna Bittner, co-founder, RUNWITHIT Synthetics * Barbara Carra, chief operating officer, Cybera * Aaryn Flynn, independent consultant * Evan Hu, chair, Calgary Technologies Inc. * Tara Kelly, president and CEO, Splice Software * Stephen Kenny, founder and president, Above and Beyond * Sharon McIntyre, co-founder and process lead, New Cottage Industries * Mashhood Qazi, senior project manager, City of Calgary * Robert Saik, founder, Agri-Trend group of Companies #### Post-secondary representatives: * Robert Andruchow, chair, department of art and design and assistant professor, MacEwan University * Dru Marshall, provost and vice president academic, University of Calgary * #### Student representatives: * Nadia Ady, PhD student in computing science, University of Alberta * Stefan Radeta, undergraduate student in computer information systems, Mount Royal University #### Labour organization representative: * Anthony (Tony) LeBel, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1944 Press release:https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=5846739576CC2-C070-EF7D-E7640868BCB38AC6 More information on the Council: https://www.alberta.ca/talent-advisory-council-technology.aspx