Federal government giving young Canadians in the Edmonton area the digital skills needed for future jobs

News Release

$1.5 million for Cybera to teach students coding and digital skills required for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow

January 25, 2018, Edmonton, AB

The federal government is investing in young Canadians to provide them with the digital skills needed for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow. Thanks to a $1.5-million investment in coding and digital skills training through Cybera, more young Canadians will be equipped with the in-demand digital literacy and problem-solving skills required by today’s employers.

The funding was announced by the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, during a visit to Cybera, a not-for-profit, technical agency that is helping Alberta advance its IT frontiers.

The investment is being allocated through CanCode, a $50-million federal program that will give nearly 1 million students from kindergarten to Grade 12 the opportunity to learn coding and other digital skills. CanCode will also provide over 63,000 Canadian teachers with the know-how to incorporate new digital skills and technologies into their classrooms.

CanCode is one of the many digital skills programs offered by the Government of Canada that seek to bridge the digital divide and help Canadians access digital technology and develop the skills they need to use them. It aligns with the Government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs and ensure Canadians have the skills to succeed.

Quotes

“Becoming the most innovative country begins with investing in Canadian talent. Our government is committed to equipping Canadian youth with the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future. By teaching kids to code today, we’re positioning Canada for future success across all industries and sectors because these kids will facilitate digital adoption, making all Canadian industries more profitable and globally competitive.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“Technology impacts our everyday lives in ways seen and unseen. Learning digital skills and coding, and how technology serves us will open so many doors to our young people as they become our future innovators and leaders. Giving the opportunity for all children to become tech savvy, gain digital skills and learn coding will further strengthen our success as a country.”

– The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“We are excited to be involved in a project that is giving students the means to use modern computational tools in their everyday classes. Helping the population to become more tech-savvy, and more responsible and accountable in their use of technology, is absolutely vital to the healthy growth of Canada’s digital economy. We are keen to see how this project grows, and we expect to be thrilled and surprised by the different uses the students will find for the new tool!”

– Dr. Barb Carra, Chief Operating Officer, Cybera

Quick Facts

  • The Cybera project is expected to benefit up to 12,000 students and 360 teachers in Alberta.

  • Overall in Alberta, CanCode will help reach up to 74,000 students and 4600 teachers.

  • CanCode will invest $50 million over two years, starting in 2017–18, to support initiatives providing educational opportunities for coding and digital skills development to Canadian youth from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Associated Links

Contacts

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

Karl W. Sasseville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

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