Cisco wants to bring up to 1,700 additional jobs to Ontario

Networking vendor Cisco Systems is betting on Ontario. Cisco Canada and the Province of Ontario have signed an agreement that could grow Cisco’s employee base in Ontario to over 5,000 by 2024.

The 10-year agreement, announced by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Cisco Canada president Nitin Kawale, is focused on growing Ontario’s status as a leader in technology innovation and researcg and development. The deal sees Cisco is focusing on adding up to 1,700 high tech jobs with a focus on R&D within the first six years, reaching as high as 5,000 Cisco employees in Ontario by 2024.

If fully realized, that would represent an investment of up to $4 billion by Cisco, including $2.2 billion in salaries alone.  The Province of Ontario will provide up to $220 million in support of the total initiative.

“Our plan to create jobs and grow the economy is focused on smart, forward-looking investments that build on Ontario’s strengths,” said Wynne, in a statement. “(This) announcement is about supporting our talented technology workers. Together, we’re going to show the world what Ontario can do.”

Cisco has already been expanding its presence in Ontario, from its investments in university chairs, its Pan Am Games technology infrastructure sponsorship and its Smart + Connected community initiatives. It’s also currently planning for a new and expanded Toronto headquarters.

“(This) marks a significant milestone for Cisco Canada and Province of Ontario.  This announcement builds on our existing partnership and our mutual commitment to drive productivity and create new economic opportunities through innovation,” said Kawale, in a statement. “Together with the Province we will create, high value jobs that will stimulate the economy. This initiative will also ensure that Ontario continues to be a leader in the information and communications technology industry, with a vast talent pool representing the country’s next generation of innovation.”

Would you recommend this article?

Share

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think of this article!
We'd love to hear your opinion about this or any other story you read in our publication.


Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

Featured Download

Jeff Jedras
Jeff Jedras
A veteran technology and business journalist, Jeff Jedras began his career in technology journalism in the late 1990s, covering the booming (and later busting) Ottawa technology sector for Silicon Valley North and the Ottawa Business Journal, as well as everything from municipal politics to real estate. He later covered the technology scene in Vancouver before joining IT World Canada in Toronto in 2005, covering enterprise IT for ComputerWorld Canada. He would go on to cover the channel as an assistant editor with CDN. His writing has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, the Ottawa Citizen and a wide range of industry trade publications.

Related Tech News

Featured Tech Jobs

 

CDN in your inbox

CDN delivers a critical analysis of the competitive landscape detailing both the challenges and opportunities facing solution providers. CDN's email newsletter details the most important news and commentary from the channel.