Conference Board of Canada Report Highlights Economic Contributions of Engineering and Applied Science Technologists and Technicians

SURREY, BC--(Marketwired - April 13, 2016) -  Results released today of a Conference Board of Canada study show that employment growth for Engineering and Applied Science Technologists and Technicians has strongly outpaced overall employment growth for Canada as a whole for the past 15 years.

The report, Assessing the Economic Contribution of Canada's Engineering and Applied Science Technicians and Technologists, also states that the average weekly wage rate for this profession has remained more than 20 per cent above the national average from 1997-98 to 2013-14.

The report confirms that this diverse group of technology professionals contributed $54.7 billion to the national economy in 2011 or 3.3 per cent of GDP. The economic contribution of technology professionals extends into the professional, scientific and technical services sector, manufacturing, construction, public administration, the information, cultural and recreation sector as well as the mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction sector.

John Leech, CEO, Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC
"ASTTBC's message about the rewarding, recession-proof careers for engineering and applied science technologists and technicians is proven once again with the Conference Board of Canada study. Technology Professionals are crucial to BC's economic growth, contributing an estimated $6 billion to the provincial economy, and a vital aspect of development, enhancing our innovation agenda and improving productivity."

Pedro Antunes, Deputy Chief Economist, The Conference Board of Canada
"To sustain economic growth in light of slowing labour force growth, Canadian businesses need to focus on improving productivity and competitiveness. This means that demand for this occupational group will continue to grow in coming years."

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

• Employment growth for this occupational group has strongly outpaced overall employment growth for Canada as a whole over the past 15 years thanks in part to Canada's move towards a knowledge economy.
  
• Their average weekly wage rate has remained more than 20 per cent above the national average from 1997-98 to 2013-14.
  
• Many of the challenges facing the Canadian economy, such as growing global competition, the aging population, slower labour force growth and growing public spending on health care, point to the need for productivity gains. Efforts to increase and maintain a high productivity level would likely involve the participation of technical professionals, such as engineering and applied science technicians and technologists.
  
• Canada's engineering and applied sciences technologists and technicians contributed $54.7 billion to the economy in 2011 -- 3.3 per cent of Canadian GDP.

The report, Assessing the Economic Contribution of Canada's Engineering and Applied Science Technicians and Technologists, is funded and supported by Technology Professionals Canada (TPC).

LINKS TO FULL REPORT

ENGLISH
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/e-library/abstract.aspx?did=7899

FRENCH
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/e-library/abstract.aspx?did=7900

About the Conference Board of Canada (CBC)… is the foremost independent, not-for-profit, applied research organization in Canada. We help build leadership capacity for a better Canada by creating and sharing insights on economic trends, public policy issues, and organizational performance.

For more information, http://www.conferenceboard.ca

About Technology Professionals Canada (TPC)… is a federally incorporated body representing engineering and applied science technicians and technologists from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

For more information, http://www.technologyprofessionals.ca

About ASTTBC…
Established in 1958, the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia is the voice of Technology Professionals in the province. ASTTBC is focused on achieving professional recognition for technologists, technicians and technical specialists. The Association's mission… to serve the public by regulating and supporting Technology Professionals' commitment to a safe, healthy and sustainable society and environment.

For more information, http://www.asttbc.org