The Information and Communications Technology Council is launching a series of bootcamps targeting the adoption of artificial intelligence skills and technology among students and business across Canada.
The ICTC is a neutral not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy.
ICTC’s eight-week bootcamps, partially funded by the federal government’s Student Work Placement Program, aim to provide industry-relevant skills that address AI fundamentals and sector-specific applications, including agentic AI and using the tech in robotics and industrial Internet of Things environments.
The bootcamps respond to a rising need for postsecondary students entering today’s workforce to gain practical AI skills, and for employers to adopt AI into their workforce, according to a statement from ICTC.
“By connecting industry needs with hands-on AI training, these work-integrated learning opportunities help close the gap between talent and technology,” commented Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families.
“As the world of work is changing, these bootcamps build the skills businesses and students need to confidently apply AI on the job,” the minister stated.
The Government of Canada has a target of boosting business adoption of AI to at least 60% by 2034.
AI adoption is “becoming essential to Canada’s economic growth,” believes Namir Anani, chief executive officer of ICTC.
The new AI bootcamps “reflect ICTC’s commitment to equipping both students and employers with the practical, job-ready skills needed to thrive in the era of AI,” according to Anani.
“By combining foundational knowledge with hands-on, sector-specific applications, this new initiative is designed to accelerate real-world adoption, and job readiness, in areas that are most strategic to our economic future,” Anani stated.
The initiative builds on ICTC’s work-integrated learning program, which helps Canadian employers by providing wage subsidies to hire post-secondary students in tech-related roles.
ICTC’s work-integrated learning program has supported over 26,800 students and 4,800 employers across Canada since 2017. Across 36 different initiatives, ICTC has provided skilling and training opportunities to 118,000 people in the digital economy.
The new AI bootcamps are slated to launch in September.
