WINDSOR, ON, March 18, 2024 – Today, Workforce WindsorEssex released a report, The State of Tech: Insights into the Tech Sector in Windsor-Essex, identifying local resources for tech workers addressing the tech brain drain that has led to the relocation of local tech talent.
This new report highlights the impact and vitality of the tech sector in Windsor-Essex. Tech jobs expand over several key industries, providing essential support to the region. Tech’s importance to manufacturing and agriculture, the two largest sectors in the region, continues to grow. By demonstrating the expansive influence of the local tech industry, from education to employment, Windsor-Essex can encourage further investments, keep tech workers local, and attract new tech talent to further support the industry.
Windsor-Essex’s tech job growth has outpaced the national average by 3%, demonstrating its elevated rise. However, the local median salary is nearly $10,000 less than the national median salary, making it difficult to retain talent in an increasingly interconnected world in which tech workers are globally sought after. On the other hand, tech employers’ benefit from operating within a labour market where wages are currently below the national average, providing them with a competitive edge in terms of operational costs. To retain top talent and foster a thriving tech ecosystem with junior, mid-level, and experienced tech workers, businesses must acknowledge the heightened demand for skilled professionals and be prepared to offer competitive wages commensurate with national industry standards. By recognizing the relationship between compensation and talent retention, Windsor-Essex can solidify its position as a hub for innovation and growth, ensuring mutual success for both employers and employees in the tech sector.
The report also reviews other barriers that the tech industry faces when it comes to expanding their size and scope, primarily the lack of a concentrated hub for tech businesses to connect, a relatively smaller market, and labour gaps when it comes to senior tech positions.
Windsor-Essex’s tech sector has been experiencing significant growth for over a decade. While leading innovation and exemplary educational programs have propelled the region toward a thriving tech industry, lower-than-average wages and the rise of remote work have contributed to a considerable tech brain drain in which local talent is relocating to other regions for tech employment.
Recommendations for employers include connecting more with local educational institutions, better promotion of which programming languages and skills are at the forefront of tech to prepare students for work after graduation, and to connect with newcomers in our available workforce.
This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
QUOTES
“Windsor-Essex’s tech sector has experienced tremendous growth and expansion over the past few years, and we are excited to see the continued success of our local tech companies. We have a wealth of talent in the region, and need to work further to retain these workers. The State of Tech report provides recommendations that can help education, business, tech workers, and more.” – Kal Fakhreddin, Project Coordinator & Research Analyst, Workforce WindsorEssex
“The Tech Economy report from Workforce WindsorEssex offers our region a snapshot of the current state of the tech economy, shedding light on key assets, such as our educational institutions and talent pool. It candidly addresses the barriers impeding tech sector growth while also highlighting the opportunities poised to propel the sector forward. As we review this report, it’s crucial to acknowledge the pivotal role of technology in driving economic growth and enhancing our competitive edge on the global stage. The digital economy’s expanding influence across social, environmental, and cultural spheres further emphasizes the need to embrace and prioritize our tech sector.” – Yvonne Pilon, President and CEO, WETechAlliance
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