$39.2-million investment to help students and teachers gain knowledge of artificial intelligence and learn coding skills

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 13, 2024 /CNW/ - As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to shape our society, the job market and our way of working, there is an increasing need for all Canadians to access training in digital skills. That is why the Government of Canada is investing in teaching digital skills to young Canadians and their teachers to help ensure our youth will be ready for the jobs of the future.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, launched the next phase of CanCode and highlighted a $39.2-million investment in the program. Now in its fourth phase, the program is looking for applications from not-for-profit organizations for projects offering students from kindergarten through grade 12 the opportunity to learn digital skills, such as coding and AI knowledge. This iteration of the program also aims to offer learning opportunities to 1.5 million students and train 100,000 teachers to incorporate new digital skills and technologies into their classrooms.

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.

Through programs like CanCode that focus on supporting under-represented groups, the Government of Canada is committed to being a leader in innovation through a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Quotes

"We are investing in young people who are training in coding, artificial intelligence and digital skills, to prepare them for future success in the 21st-century economy. Programs like CanCode facilitate their smooth transition from classrooms to research labs and will contribute to Canada's sustained economic growth for years to come."

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Quick facts

• Since its launch in 2017, CanCode has invested over $229.2 million in organizations that have helped over 9 million students, priming them for success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and has equipped over 450,000 teachers with the tools they need to help their students learn digital skills.
• CanCode is designed to complement educational curricula, promote awareness of coding, spark interest in coding and encourage digital skills more broadly. The long-term goal is to make Canada a leading innovation economy with a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• CanCode is now accepting applications from not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada that are dedicated to equipping youth and teachers with essential digital skills such as coding and artificial intelligence knowledge.

Associated links

• CanCode
• Canada's Digital Charter

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