Montréal is a major centre for technology and ranks third in North America for employment growth in this flourishing industry. The city’s tech sector employs over 107,500 highly skilled workers and contributes $11.6 billion to Quebec’s GDP. [1]
This is why the tech sector is considered so essential, not only to ensure the vitality and growth of our economy, but also to respond to the challenges of tomorrow.
In a context where technology has a growing place in our daily lives – a 2017 study by the Institute for the Future shows that 85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 have not yet been invented – and where the sector is at virtually full employment, one thing is clear: women are underrepresented. In Quebec, they account for only 20% of technology professionals, according to a 2018 TECHNOCompétences report. [2] The increased presence of women in this sector has to be part of the solution, to respond to growing recruitment needs and to ensure a greater diversity of experience and viewpoints.
Providing role models
Ubisoft and the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM) are tackling this issue and launching Women in Tech Ubisoft, an initiative to encourage young people – in particular young women – to pursue a career in technology and become tomorrow’s leaders. This campaign features three inspiring women role models from the technology sector as ambassadors.
Working in Montréal’s tech sector, Julie Tousignant, Catherine Proulx, and Amira Boutouchent have been taking part in a series of events and communication efforts since the beginning of February, to share their professional and personal experience in the field of technology via the media and with young women, through videos and social media.
A unique background
Until June, Julie, Catherine, and Amira will enjoy a unique experience dotted by a series of special events. Among these is an appearance by Randi Zuckerberg on March 14 as part of the CCMM’s Bell International Leaders series. Impassioned by technology and media, the business woman and Harvard graduate also wants to play a leading role in developing the next generation of successful women business leaders. In addition to meeting Ms. Zuckerberg and discussing the growing importance of technology and the need for a balanced representation of women in the field, they will also answer questions from hundreds of young women who are invited to attend.
The ambassadors will also visit Greater Montréal high schools in April to meet young people and talk about career trajectories. These talks are part of the CCMM’s Operation Back to School, which, for the past 23 years, has been giving inspiring business men and women the chance to go back to school to talk to high school students about their experience and passion and encourage them to stay in school.
Women in Tech Ubisoft will also take the ambassadors to Silicon Valley for a trade mission with nine start-ups. From April 29 to May 3, 2019, they will get to know the local start-up ecosystem and take part in Women of Silicon Valley, the largest Women in Tech event in the world.
An upcoming blog post will talk more about each of the Women in Tech Ubisoft ambassadors.
[1] Techno Montréal, Profil des technologies, http://www.technomontreal.com/fr/industrie/profil-des-tic
[2] TECHNO Compétence, La place des femmes en TI, https://www.technocompetences.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2017_EtudeFemmesenTI_TECHNOComp%C3%A9tences.pdf