RRC Polytech triples seats for cybersecurity program as it works to fill growing demand for AI skills

RRC Polytech triples seats for cybersecurity program as it works to fill growing demand for AI skills

Institution increases capacity in programs with heavy artificial intelligence component

Red River College Polytechnic has tripled the number of seats available for its cybersecurity diploma only one year after it was launched.

It is part of a broader change the post-secondary institution is undertaking to meet a growing need for artificial intelligence skills in the labour market, while some career advisers in Winnipeg hear more concerns from students about how technology might be limiting their job options.

"The demand is out there," RRC Polytech president Fred Meier said. "It's not just technology companies that need this kind of graduates, but it's every company."

The college is not rolling out a mandatory course, module or general program solely dedicated to AI at this time. But administrators have increased capacity in programs with heavy components of artificial intelligence, such as the cybersecurity diploma, Meier said.

It started out with one student cohort last fall, then doubled in size in January, with six cohorts offered for this month.

While there have been more applicants, Meier said RRC Polytech ensures there is industry need for a program before expanding it. In this case, there's an interest for the skills taught in this program because AI is being used to create malware for cyberattacks.

RRC Polytech has also changed the curriculum of its data science machine learning program to make sure it is relevant with artificial intelligence, Meier said.

The revamp includes a new applied artificial intelligence course, a new elective focused on private AI, data security and ethical deployment, and enhanced AI applications across courses, the college says.

Staff members across the institution are going through existing curricula and adding education on this kind of technology, Meier said — training students on technical skills they can use in the industry to either help with the adoption of AI or work with it, including outside the technology field.

"Academics are looking at all of our programs to make sure that they remain relevant," the school's president said.

RRC Polytech has not ceased or paused programs because of artificial intelligence. The University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg both said the same when asked.

But Meier said RRC Polytech has reduced the number of seats available due to weakening demand in at least its computer applications certificate — a program to learn how to use Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

"We do notice that students are using artificial intelligence to shape [their] choice," he said. "They're asking questions around what types of careers will the future hold with the advent of AI."

A January economic and social report co-authored by Statistics Canada found that three years after the widespread availability of generative AI, there are no signs of large-scale job losses related to the technology. But the governor of the Bank of Canada said there's early evidence AI is reducing the number of entry-level positions in some occupations.

Job demand and salary are at the forefront of decision-making for a large number of students planning which education path to pursue in consultation with career services at the University of Manitoba.

Consultant Lisa MacPherson said students want to enter industries where there is a strong need for work and are more cautious with picking a job where there's been speculation about artificial intelligence reducing opportunities.

"We are seeing more and more questions about it," she said. "It is a turbulent labour market. Students are wise to see how the particular occupations they're considering might be affected by AI."

But sometimes technology is not the reason why a sector is not in demand, so MacPherson said part of her job has turned into countering misconceptions or busting myths around AI and the labour market.

"We're pivoting constantly," she said.

Career Trek, a registered non-for-profit working on career development with around 1,000 Manitoba students between grades 5 and 12, noticed how there have been more conversations over the last year around the role of artificial intelligence in the workforce.

"A lot of them have been asking, 'Would this role [be] available in the future if AI comes and takes it away?'," said Oyíndàmọ́lá Aláká, Career Trek's director of programming.

However, many students are more curious about how they can pursue their preferred job option, regardless of AI, she said.

"We have seen the skepticism and the understanding that AI is here, and wanted to know the role it plays," Aláká said.

The charity launched new programming this year to meet that interest, with curricula including workshops, speakers and one-on-one sessions for youth to explore careers directly involved with AI, such as engineers or technicians.

Their focus has also changed to helping build soft skills — such as team work or critical thinking — and help students understand the importance of them to stay competitive in a labour market shared with AI.

"It is important for us to be at the forefront of this conversation to help the youths be ready," Aláká said.

Santiago Arias Orozco is a journalist with CBC Manitoba currently based in Winnipeg. He previously worked for CBC Toronto and the Toronto Star. You can reach him at santiago.arias.orozco@cbc.ca.