Innovator Skills Initiative

Hiring skilled tech talent can be a real challenge for growing organizations in British Columbia, especially when trying to balance recruitment costs with long-term growth plans. The Innovator Skills Initiative, delivered by Innovate BC, is designed to ease that pressure by helping employers bring on new tech or tech-related employees while also opening doors for people who are under-represented in the province’s technology sector. For many businesses, this support can make it more feasible to create a new role or move forward with a hire they might otherwise delay.

Through this initiative, eligible employers in B.C.’s technology ecosystem, as well as non-tech organizations hiring for technical roles, can receive non-repayable funding of up to around $10,000 to offset a portion of a new employee’s wages. The focus is on providing meaningful, paid work experience that helps individuals secure their first job in tech, with a strong emphasis on increasing diversity and supporting Indigenous participation in the sector. Beyond the financial contribution, Innovate BC also connects employers with resources and networks to support inclusive recruitment and employee development.

While the Innovator Skills Initiative is not always open year-round, it returns periodically based on funding availability. For B.C. employers interested in building diverse tech teams and addressing skills gaps, it’s worth taking a closer look at how this program could fit into future hiring plans and what to prepare for when applications reopen.