Toronto based tech firm, Wave, is just one of the many tech companies on the hunt for highly-skilled, talented workers. They are a firm that builds financial service apps for small businesses and plan to double their workforce of 150 in the next two years. Founder Kirk Simpson says his number one problem is finding highly skilled workers in this environment (Cochrane, 2017).
I think Jamie Peck does a good job at explaining the importance of creative industries and the creative class in regards to this problem. The opening quote Peck uses, "be creative - or die," (Peck, 2010), accurately depicts today's importance of creativity and innovation. Peck then continues to draw from the work of Christopher Dreher and says that cities need to attract the new creative class by developing hip neighbourhoods, an art scene, and a welcoming, accepting atmosphere, or else they won't succeed in the creative age (Peck, 2010).
Although finding new talent has been Simpsons biggest problem, I think Toronto has done a terrific job of taking the steps needed to attract the new creative class. Toronto consists of a number of cool, diverse neighbours, is extremely multi-cultural and gay-friendly, and has a great arts scene. Toronto is the perfect place for creative individuals to gravitate towards, especially for those in the tech industry.
Sources:
Cochrane, D. (2017, March 20). High-tech sector looks to Liberal budget to spark innovation, deliver skilled workforce. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/budget-innovation-high-tech-jobs-1.4032807
Peck, J. (2010). Creative Liberties. Constructions of Neoliberal Reason. Oxford University Press.
Hi Kevin. I am currently wondering whether or not Wave started in Waterloo or was influenced by the Kitchener Waterloo region at all. As being labeled the new and up coming creative city with multiple resources to enhance the entrepreneurial process as well as the surplus of educated students willing to have co-ops or just assist and contribute to these start ups - what would wave have obtained being based in Waterloo over Toronto? What specifically does Toronto have to offer other than expensive rates?
ReplyDeleteAs for the quote you used "be creative or die" I agree with this. We discussed in one of the class readings (Labour Venture) that when all fails and crashes individuals tend to respond to their own projects and become entrepreneurial. This because they would rather not succeed on their own terms than on someone else's.