As artificial intelligence transforms society and workplaces, Canadians need digital skills more than ever before, according to the federal government, which this week announced a $30 million investment into tech-forward upskilling programs.
As part of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly confirmed $30M to launch the fifth phase of CanCode, a federal program that funds not-for-profit organizations to deliver digital skills training to Canadian students and teachers.
This includes “foundational digital skills” such as coding and “AI knowledge.”
“Canada’s success in the AI economy depends on the talent we develop today,” explains Joly.
“Through the fifth phase of the CanCode program and our government’s $30 million investment, we will be equipping students and educators with the digital and AI skills needed to seize the opportunities of tomorrow,” the minister stated.
This next iteration of the program aims to offer learning opportunities to more than one million students and aims to train nearly 80,000 teachers.
“By investing in our people, we are strengthening Canada’s competitiveness and building a stronger economy for the future,” Joly remarked.
CanCode is designed to complement educational curricula, promote awareness of coding, spark interest in tech, and encourage digital skills more broadly.
The program is executed with a long-term goal to make Canada a leading innovation economy with a highly skilled workforce.
AI is “already changing how Canadians learn, work and access information,” says Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation.
“Through CanCode, we are strengthening digital and AI literacy for students and teachers across the country, giving young Canadians the skills to use AI responsibly, creatively and with confidence,” he said.
CanCode is now accepting applications from non-profit organizations incorporated in Canada that are dedicated to equipping youth and teachers with essential digital skills.
