Advancing Growth in Canada’s Indigenous Digital Workforce

How We Are Solving It

PLATO, Canada’s largest Indigenous-owned software testing and technology services company, will scale and enhance its post-secondary accredited foundational software tester training program to over 75 First Nations, Inuit and Métis trainees across Canada. The project will help deliver the program closer to Indigenous communities to break down systemic barriers for entry into the field and promote diversity and inclusion in technology.

PLATO’s train-and-employ model focuses on recruiting First Nations, Inuit and Métis people to provide them with an opportunity to begin their careers in the technology sector. Their Software Tester Training Program provides five months of in-class training focused on the fundamentals of software testing, followed by a three-month paid internship of experiential learning with one of PLATO’s corporate partners. Following successful completion of the eight month training program, graduates are offered a full-time position with PLATO.

Co-investment will also support the development and implementation of an accelerated software tester training program for Indigenous post-secondary graduates and Indigenous professionals who are currently employed and motivated to pursue careers in information technology.

The Result

This project successfully trained just under 75 Indigenous participants in Calgary, Prince Albert, Ottawa-Gatineau, Sault Ste Marie and Vancouver through the enhancement of PLATO’s post-secondary accredited foundational software testing program; and the creation, testing and implementation of an accelerated software tester training program. Both programs gave participants industry-driven digital skills training delivered by professional instructors and professional testing subject matter specialists. As part of their train-and-employ model, PLATO has also facilitated hands-on project experience for students with PLATO clients and corporate partners across Canada; following successful completion of the training and paid internship, participants are guaranteed an offer of permanent full-time employment with PLATO.

As an additional benefit from DIGITAL’s support, PLATO was able to offer technology training courses in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, a city which has a limited technology ecosystem and very few technology-related jobs. Prince Albert’s Indigenous population represents over 40% of the city’s total population, of which the creation of 20 new technology-based jobs filled by Indigenous technology professionals from the PLATO program will help to create new potential pathways for the Indigenous youth of Prince Albert and the surrounding area.