Cape Breton to Benefit From Investment by World-Leading IT Company

LABOUR/ADVANCED EDUCATION--Cape Breton to Benefit From Investment by World-Leading IT Company

• -------------------------------------------------------------- Cape Breton students, post-secondary schools and businesses are ready to take advantage of a game-changing investment that will create hundreds of high-paying, long-term jobs, new partnerships and research.

IBM is locating its only Canadian Global Delivery Centre in Nova Scotia, which positions the province as a leader in innovation and analytics. IBM expects to create up to 500 new jobs.

"No one wants to leave home to work and this investment will help provide the good jobs students want and allow the IT sector in Cape Breton to flourish," said Deputy Premier Frank Corbett.

"This is a part of the province that has embraced innovation, and the partnership with IBM is creating an environment where students will know they can apply their skills and expertise in their chosen field."

IBM signed an agreement with NSCC and five universities, including Cape Breton University and Marconi campus, to help develop a workforce with the right skills and training for the growing analytics industry. IBM will make student recruitment a major focus, and will invest in research at the institutions.

"CBU has a history of collaborative relationships with several significant corporations that have proven mutually beneficial and support the needs of students," said Michele Lahey, CBU student union president. "I know our university researchers have developed public and private-sector partnerships, as well and overall partnerships such as the latest one with IBM, which create opportunities for students and expansion on campus."

Cape Breton is already home to highly successful IT companies such as AG Research and MediaSpark.

"As an IBM business partner, I'm pleased to see IBM take a bigger role in the future success of Nova Scotia," said Mathew Georghiou, MediaSpark CEO.

"An initiative that increases the high knowledge skills and career potential of Cape Bretoners is certainly welcome news. We look forward to the opportunity to further collaborate with IBM."

"We are looking forward to having a presence in Sydney and working with CBU and Marconi campus to develop information technology programs to educate Cape Breton students on analytics skills and applications," said John Lutz, president, IBM Canada.

The Global Delivery Centre will also support the province's SAP IT system. IBM will deliver the same level of services, based on today's costs, $8.4 million, adjusted annually for inflation.

IBM will offer a job to the 75 permanent employees, including seven in Sydney, who are affected by this agreement. The provincial government employees also have the option of remaining with the public service.

"I know this has been a difficult process for our Sydney employees and I realize that change is never easy, but it is important for them to know that their expertise and commitment played a role in attracting IBM," said Mr. Corbett. "They are being offered jobs with opportunities for bonuses and advancement."

This is the second large job-creation announcement this week. On Wednesday, Nov. 7, PROJEX Technologies Ltd., an Alberta engineering company, announced plans to create 440 high-paying, long-term jobs in Nova Scotia.