Information Technology

The information technology sector provides a broad range of services, such as hardware, software and network development, sales and service, systems integration, and information management systems design and implementation.

IDP Survey Results

Each year, SREDA conducts an industry development program survey. The survey is intended to maintain product information on industrial companies operating within the Saskatoon region, and assess specific industry sectors' prospects for growth and labour market needs.

Thirty-six of the potential 69 information technology companies participated in the survey, representing a 52 per cent response rate.

Labour

Prior to 2006, the information technology sector's labour supply had been stable or growing. This year was the first in the last five years that saw a decline in the availability of skilled labour for this sector.

Skilled labour shortages are occurring in the information technology sector. In particular, 17 per cent of survey participants indicated a challenge in filling the following positions:

• Administrative Personnel
• Electrical Engineering Technologist
• GIS Technologists
• Programmers

All respondents in the survey ranked the quality of employees high. Of the three areas surveyed, managers' rankings were either excellent or good for labour-management relations (100 per cent), employee work ethic (100 per cent), and employee skill level (96 per cent).

Sales and Growth

The information technology sector has seen steady or increased revenues over the previous five years. Information is becoming more valuable and its quality management is a major commodity in today's economy. This has helped local companies thrive and created optimism for growth.

The optimism has spilled over into expansion plans for 26 per cent of information technology companies in the Saskatoon region. These expansions have the potential of creating six per cent employment growth for this sector.