Creating a Globally Competitive Smart Mobility Workforce in Ontario
Over the last year, Invest Ottawa, in partnership with Ontario’s #AVIN and industry leaders, developed and piloted a new skills development program that aims to help create a globally competitive, future-ready workforce in Ontario.
Focused on smart mobility and Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs), the CAV Talent Catalyst Pilot Program offered participants a hands-on, interactive learning experience with industry leaders that are developing and employing cutting-edge technologies.
These include 5G, #AI, machine learning, computer vision, LiDAR, BlackBerry Jarvis, cybersecurity, and more.
Together, we delivered 13+ workshops that addressed 24 skills gaps and enabled 260+ participants to engage and learn from tech leaders and potential employers, including: Accenture; ADGA Group Consultants Inc.; Aurrigo; Amazon Web Services (AWS); BlackBerry QNX; CS Group – Canada, EasyMile; Hexagon PPM AutonomouStuff; Nokia; Sensor Cortek; Tempo Analytics & VIVA Lab.
These sessions leveraged the unique capabilities of Area X.O and engaged a broad mix of participants from every walk of life, including:
- New grads seeking critical first career opportunities and direct linkages to employers
- Members of our tech workforce who aim to reskill or upskill to advance their career
- Entrepreneurs, innovators and developers who aim to put groundbreaking tech to work
- Students, researchers and professors
Deigo Mendoza
“As an Automotive Engineering graduate, I jumped at the opportunity and signed up for the CAV Talent Catalyst Pilot Program. I attended the various webinars exposing me to the future of smart mobility and smart infrastructure. I was intrigued and excited on how big this movement is and how it’s going to disrupt a lot of different industries.”
– Diego Mendoza, Onboard Safety Assistant, AutoGuardian
Tenille Houston
“The CAV program not only helped us to get out and meet new talent, but it connected fresh new talent and we were able to onboard one employee immediately. The presentation allowed us to solidify a 30-minute demonstration that we can use going forward for talent attraction.”
– Tenille Houston, CEO & Co-Founder, AutoGuardian
John Ameh
“I am passionate in the application of machine learning skills in solving problems. My keen interest is in its application in the Automotive space. This interest propelled me to attend the CAV Talent Catalyst Program offered by Invest Ottawa, specifically the Connected Automated Vehicle, 5G and Cyber Security sessions. Overall, I will say it was good and a timely exposure to broaden my scope, access quality resources, meet people and get acquainted with current trends in the field. I was inspired by the program to pursue the AWS Certification with a specialty on Machine Learning which I hope to take in October.”
– John Ameh, Data Analyst
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EasyMile
“I was part of the original CAV project with Invest Ottawa that took place in November of last year. An important key to the success of these projects is finding partners with a high-level of enthusiasm and excitement. Along with the passion for the technology comes the ability to digest the information and come up with practical solutions to incorporate CAV technology into their respective transportation infrastructure. Invest Ottawa and their partners have been tremendous leaders in learning about, teaching and implementing CAV technology now!”
– Nathan Ramsay, Assistant Project Manager, EasyMile
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Bren-Gelyn Padlan
“The CAV Talent Catalyst Pilot Program gave me the opportunity to learn in an environment outside of the classroom about the concepts regarding Adaptive Cruise Controls, V2X Communications, Localization, and many more. Participating in this program also allowed me to network with other people and gain valuable insights into what to expect in this type of industry. I would definitely recommend this program to students like me.”
– Bren-Gelyn Padlan
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Wassim El Ahmar
“The CAV Talent Catalyst Program initiative is exactly what the workforce needs today as it delivers to participants a wide range of skills needed to excel in a career in the CAV industry. The applied science nature of the workshops and the rich knowledge base participants gain throughout the program is difficult to acquire anywhere else.”
– Wassim El Ahmar
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Monika Minarcin
“I am fascinated and privileged to have the opportunity to work at the intersection of future mobility and technology. Collaboration is and will be the key to success. The CAV Talent Catalyst Pilot Program created an unparalleled opportunity to add the distinctiveness of the talent and their perspectives to a connected, electrified and automated mobility ecosystem both regionally and abroad.”
– Monika Micarcin
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Project Overview
These industry-led workshops harnessed the power of collaboration, and some of the greatest strengths Ottawa has to offer Ontario and the world. They delivered actionable insight, evidence-based outcomes and an impactful approach that can be adapted and employed to help the smart mobility and automotive industry and related tech sectors gain a competitive talent edge.
For example, our CAV Talent Catalyst Team created an intentional diversity methodology for workshop participant selection to help fuel the development of a more diverse and inclusive talent pipeline
- This improved diversity levels in attendees from an average of 59% to 84% diversity.
- 70% of participants were from priority equity groups.
We are excited to share all key outcomes and learnings with our community, and employ them in future programs.
Together, we will maximize our collective impact; drive new opportunities for tech talent and companies; and create an even stronger, more globally competitive smart mobility workforce in Ontario.
Special thanks to the Ontario Government, our CAV Talent, Area X.O, Invest Ottawa team, all industry and post-secondary partners, participants, Ontario Centre of Innovation and #AVIN collaborators for your support of our smart mobility innovators, firms and community.
Created in collaboration with and delivered by leading industry organizations, the CAV Talent Catalyst program will explore the foundations of CAVs, highlight up-to-date sensor technology and provide an overview of cybersecurity protocols; the program also provides the opportunity to connect with industry professionals.
Program delivery partners include Accenture, Hexagon (AutonomouStuff), Sensor Cortek, Tempo Analytics & VIVA Lab (UOttawa), Aurrigo, EasyMile, BlackBerry QNX, Nokia, CS Canada, ADGA and AWS.
What is Area X.O
Area X.O is the futureplex of innovation and collaboration.
Located in Ottawa, Canada’s Capital, Area X.O enables and accelerates breakthrough innovation in next generation technologies.
Our state-of-the-art facility offers a safe and secure environment to create, test and demonstrate future mobility, autonomy and connected technologies. Any innovation. Any application. Any sector… from transportation and telecom to smart agriculture, defence, aerospace, public safety, and smart cities.
What is AVIN
The Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) is the Government of Ontario’s flagship initiative on the future of the automotive and mobility industry. Through AVIN, Ontario is at the forefront of the sector’s transformation, capitalizing on the economic potential of automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions such as connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs), and enabling the province’s transportation and infrastructure networks to plan for and adapt to this evolution.
AVIN is undertaking work on skills and talent, which focuses on ensuring the sector’s workforce is prepared to meet the needs of the future and maintain its global competitiveness.
Through this work, AVIN aims to support the futureproofing of the automotive and mobility sector’s workforce, drive collaboration between industry, educational and post-secondary institutions and government, and support an approach to strengthening and diversifying the next generation talent pipeline and building capacity within all regions of Ontario.
To learn more visit the AVIN Hub.
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