A software testing company out of New Brunswick is looking to set up shop in Sault Ste. Marie and will create as many as 60 jobs.
The plan is to train a team of Indigenous professionals.
PLATO Testing works with Canadian companies to improve user experience of mobile and web-based applications, but the unique aspect of this company is its goal to be a leader for Indigenous Canadians.
"Our goal was really to develop an Indigenous testing team across Canada. For whatever reason, when we looked at what the talent pool is among First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people across Canada, in terms of it training, the numbers weren't as high as we wanted." said Denis Carignan, President of PLATO Testing.
So they set out to create the workforce they wanted.
Plato operates in British Columbia, Alberta, and New Brunswick and plans to begin training sessions in the Sault Ste. Marie area before the New Year.
"It's easy to find jobs like we have in Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary, but there are much fewer of them when you get out into smaller centres in Canada. And yet, there is no reason that the work that we do gets sent offshore to places like China and India. There's no reason it can't be done in Sault Ste. Marie, northern Saskatchewan, or northern Alberta." said Carignan.
The Up Lottery and Gaming Group, says PLATO's arrival will increase the number of local firms working in the lottery and gaming sector to 16; up from four, just a couple of years ago.
Ian Plumley is the Vice President of Innovation at Up Lottery and Gaming in Sault Ste. Marie.
"This is fantastic news for Sault Ste. Marie and the lottery and gaming cluster system in the Sault. It's just showing the potential for growth in a global market." said Plumley.
The PLATO President says the firm will look to recruit 15 students for the first training session.
He says each one of them that passes the intense 15-week course will be offered full-time employment.
