ISED Innovation Science and Economic Developmen : Federal government giving young Canadians in the Montréal area the digital skills needed for future jobs

$500,000 for Youth Fusion to teach students and train teachers in coding and digital skills required for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow

January 26, 2018, Montréal, QC

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 $500,000 investment in coding and digital skills training through Youth Fusion, 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 David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Marc Miller, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Sœurs, during a visit to Concordia University, a Youth Fusion partner. To lower dropout rates and create closer links between training and employment, Youth Fusion focuses on experiential learning by implementing innovative pedagogical projects in various fields, including robotics, video game creation, entrepreneurship and fashion design.

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

'This investment is great news for students in the Montréal area. It gives our youth the opportunity to learn the digital skills they need for future employment and further study in high-demand STEM fields.'

- David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

'CanCode is our government's down payment on Canada's future. This program will help ensure more young Canadians, of all backgrounds, have the right skills for the jobs of tomorrow.'

- Marc Miller, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Sœurs

'Our new teaching project in artificial intelligence will encourage thousands of young people to follow this path and equip them with the tools to pursue a career in the field. In addition, the passion of school administrators and teachers for a project focused on experiential learning shows that such a project is not only relevant but also necessary.'

- Gabriel Bran Lopez, Founding President, Youth Fusion

Quick Facts

• The Youth Fusion project is expected to benefit over 13,700 students.

• 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.

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
[e-mail]