Apr 30, 2018

Vancouver, BC – Langara College has received $100,000 from the Province of British Columbia to plan for 40 additional spaces in data analytics certificate and web technologies citation programs. The program expansion will be supported with annual funding of $400,000 once fully up and running in 2020-21.

“This funding will allow Langara to add to our portfolio of tech programs and to produce home-grown talent that have the skills needed to seamlessly transition to the workplace and take advantage of the many opportunities that B.C.’s thriving tech industry presents,” said Margaret Heldman, Dean of Science at Langara College.

The new post-degree certificate program will cover the entire data analytics lifecycle: acquisition, analysis, and presenting results. By collaborating with industry partners, Langara students will gain experience handling real-life data in fields like telecommunications, finance, and health care, and hands-on skills using industry-standard software.

“B.C. has a vibrant start-up scene,” said Michael Lo, Assistant Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Langara College, “but these tech entrepreneurs are struggling to fill gaps in data analytics. This program will produce graduates with the skills needed to maintain their organizations’ competitive edge by using analytics to make technical and strategic business decisions.”

The Langara web technologies citation can be completed in eight months, and the data analytics program can be completed in 12 months.

“We’re not only opening the doors to more opportunities for students but we’re also sparking innovation locally, regionally and provincially,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “For more than a decade, there were no significant new investments in post-secondary tech education and training. The additional spaces at Langara College are part of our tech-expansion plan to add thousands of spaces throughout the province.”

Over 83,400 tech-related jobs openings are expected by 2027 including jobs like computer programmers, engineers, information system analysts, digital design and software designers.

The tech sector in B.C. is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy generating approximately $29 billion in revenue, supporting over 106,000 good-paying jobs with more than 10,200 businesses.

About Langara College

Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as house of teachings, a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.

Learn more. 

Travis Smith
Manager, Public Affairs
Langara College
tsmith@langara.ca
604.323.5733