What do a transit operator, a flight cabin crew instructor, and a cook have in common? At first glance, not much. But for Dylan, Selam, and Craig, these careers became the unlikely stepping stones to something new: thriving roles in Calgary’s growing tech sector.

Take Craig. After years of working as a transit operator, he was ready for a career shift that connected him to his passion: technology. Through the IT Support Specialist (ITSS) program, he gained industry-recognized skills and quickly landed a role at a banking institution and one of the province’s major employers.

Selam, once a flight crew instructor, faced challenges transitioning into Canada’s tech workforce, until she discovered Momentum’s ITSS program. After the program, Selam landed a full-time job with a growing Calgary company in the energy sector.

Dylan, who had spent a decade working in kitchens, was searching for a way into a new career. The ITSS program opened a door to a stable, well-paying job with WBM Technologies, a manage IT solutions provider and a career that aligns with his passion and potential.

These stories, along with dozens of other data points were collected as part of the IT Support Specialist program evaluation. The 3rd evaluation report is hot off the press, and the results are noteworthy:

• 95% graduation rate among program participants
• 85% of participants achieved at least 3 technical certificates
• 70% of participants found full time employment in their field of study

The evaluation report also highlighted the impact of the Income Share Agreement (ISA) model. Under this innovative tuition structure, learners who qualify for financial assistance pay no tuition upfront. Instead, they begin repayment only once they secure full-time work—meaning Momentum shares the risk and invests in their success.

To date, $230,000 in Income Share Agreements have been administered, with no write-offs so far. One participant shared: “it was especially valuable to me that I only had to pay for the program after I found a job because I had just arrived in Canada”. Another shared: “knowing that I would come out of the program with less debt felt very comfortable”.

We are proud of the participants, work experience partners, and internal staff team who have contributed to the results in the evaluation. As Calgary grows in its reputation as a national tech hub, programs like ITSS ensure that local talent is ready to meet the demand—while creating pathways for Calgarians seeking sustainable, long-term careers.

The next cohort begins October 27th. Know someone who might be ready to take the leap? Spread the word and help more Calgarians step into careers that power both their potential and our city’s tech economy. https://momentum.org/programs/it-support-specialist.