Canada needs a workforce savvy in science, technology, engineering and math, capable of taking on challenges to compete in the digital economy.
To prepare the next generation of Canadian workers to succeed in the increasingly digital economy, the Government of Canada is supporting millions of young Canadians in improving their digital skills.
During a visit to Sir James Douglas Elementary School today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, announced a $8.1 million investment for Kids Code Jeunesse as part of the second phase of the Government of Canada’s CanCode program.
Budget 2019 is investing a total of $60 million in CanCode. This investment is in addition to the $50 million from Budget 2017, for a total of $110 million.
CanCode gives students from kindergarten to Grade 12 the opportunity to learn digital skills, like coding, data analytics and digital content development, including artificial intelligence.
The program also trains Canadian teachers on how to incorporate new digital skills and technologies into their classrooms, and it encourages young women, Indigenous peoples and other under-represented groups to pursue careers in STEM.
Kids Code Jeunesse is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building digital skills communities and empowering children, teachers and parents to thrive in a technology-driven society. With this funding, the company will deliver 415,000 coding and digital skills training opportunities to students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, as well as to 12,000 teachers across the country.
CanCode aligns with Canada’s Digital Charter, a made-in-Canada, principles-based approach to building trust in the digital world. The first principle of the Charter is focused on ensuring that all Canadians have equal opportunity to participate in the digital world and the necessary tools to do so, including access, connectivity, literacy and skills.
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