Federal government giving young Canadians in North Eastern Nova Scotia the digital skills needed for future jobs
Federal government giving young Canadians in North Eastern Nova Scotia the digital skills needed for future jobs
Funding for MediaSmarts to teach pre-service teachers at St. Francis Xavier University the digital skills their future students will require for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow.
February 23, 2018 – Antigonish, Nova Scotia – Government of Canada
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 $340,000 investment for MediaSmarts for digital skills training, 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 Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova, during a visit at St. Francis Xavier University, during a workshop on pixilation.
The investment is being allocated through CanCode, a $50-million federal program that gives students from kindergarten to grade 12 the opportunity to learn coding and other digital skills. The funding will also provide hundreds of Canadian teachers with the tools needed to educate Canadian youth on these skills.
CanCode is a Budget 2017 commitment aiming to teach at least 500,000 Canadian students digital skills like coding.
“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 investing in Canada’s youth, we’re investing in Canada’s future!”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
“This investment is great news for students in North Eastern NovaScotia. It gives our youth the opportunity to learn the digital skills they need for future employment and further study in high-demand STEM fields. What’s particularly fascinating is that this incredible work is happening right here in our backyards at St. Francis Xavier University, giving our students the tools they need for the future.”
– Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova
“MediaSmarts research shows that Canadian teachers recognize the importance of digital literacy skills but they’re struggling to pass those skills on to their students. The goal of our digital literacy training program is to help new teachers integrate digital literacy into their teaching practices with lessons and activities that suit their students’ needs. Funding from the CanCode program will enable us to reach 3,500 new teachers who will teach an estimated 300,000 students.”
-Matthew Johnson, Director of Education, MediaSmarts
Quick facts
• 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.
• The program will also equip 500 teachers across the country with the training and tools to teach digital skills and coding.
Associated links
• CanCode
• Innovation and Skills Plan
Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA