IBM Canada is marking a significant milestone in the Maritimes. This spring commemorates 10 years since the company opened the doors of its Client Innovation Centre in Halifax, now the largest IBM centre of its kind in North America. The CIC is known as a success story for the IT sector in Nova Scotia. Starting with 70 staff members in 2013, the Centre is on track to employ 1,000 people by the end of the year.

Located in Bedford, just outside of Halifax, the CIC is part of IBM’s global network of delivery centres which provide services and technology solutions to administer and transform IT systems for government clients, businesses, and universities.

“This CIC is such a unique technology hub for Atlantic Canada, attracting both clients and employees to Nova Scotia,” said Lynn Clark, the leader of the Client Innovation Centre. “Since its inception, the Centre has contributed to strengthening the province’s technology sector and supporting businesses across Canada and around the world through increased access to talent and innovative technologies.”

The Halifax CIC also actively collaborates with key partners, building the strength of client solutions and supporting other local technology providers. Through the Centre, IBM supports important R&D projects like DeepSense and Cove, which create AI, machine learning, and data-driven projects with ocean economy businesses and academic researchers. The CIC teams are also working as part of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator initiative with Net Zero Atlantic to develop a modeling and reporting tool for Indigenous communities in Canada that will inform their energy and development planning.

Another important aspect of this CIC is the partnerships with Atlantic Canada higher-education institutions to develop analytics curricula that build the high-demand skills needed to help Canada grow and compete in a global marketplace.

An anniversary event was held on May 24^th at the Centre to celebrate the 10-year milestone.