Today marks the official launch of Computer Science Education Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. From December 6-10, “CSEdWeek” is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field.
This year’s theme is “#CSEVERYWHERE,” which highlights the impact that computer science is making everywhere and the relationship that computer science has to different subjects, industries, career paths, and our everyday lives.
Earlier today, the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education and Mysa co-founder and COO Zachary Green visited computer science students at Holy Trinity High in Torbay to observe the hands-on training they are receiving in coding and computer science as one of the 14 schools taking part in the Technology Career Pathways program first announced in late 2020.
Computer science courses at the high school level provide important foundational learning for careers in the technology sector. The provincial technology sector is growing, and TechNL estimates that the current capacity for software development graduates from all sources in the province currently meets only 10 to 15 per cent of the industry’s projected skill needs.
Under the pilot program, there are 390 grade 10 students registered for Computer Science 1204 as they progress through their high school years. This includes nine students taking part in computer science through the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI), which serves multiple schools in rural regions of the province.
Students completing the program will receive a micro-credential from College of the North Atlantic (CNA) indicating they have completed the Python TCP, as well as course credit at the post-secondary level.
This pilot and future TCP programs will help narrow that skill gap in the technology industry while providing young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with early exposure to an industry with significant job prospects. Future TCP programs can focus on areas such as cyber security, infrastructure and web development.
Quotes
“Computer Science has progressed from an experimental part of the curriculum a few short decades ago to an important skillset that sets students on the path to significant career opportunities. This Computer Science Week, we look forward to building on current momentum in the technology sector starting in our K-12 schools, ensuring we create opportunities to prepare the workforce of the future for the careers of the future.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education
“It is an exciting time to be a part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech sector. It is growing exponentially and there is a need for talented, hardworking people with a foundation of coding and computer science skills to help drive company growth and development. This week highlights the integral part that computer science plays in our lives and its importance to all sectors of the economy. For some, it could be the first steps to entering the technology sector or to learning new digital skills which will serve them well in all career paths.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
“With the rapid growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech community, investing in the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador will pay off in dividends not only for Mysa, but for the collective future of the province as a whole. It’s critical that we continually focus on teaching computer science in all levels of education so that our students are prepared for the jobs of today, and the ones of the future.”
Zachary Green
Co-founder and COO, Mysa
– 30 –
Célébration de la Semaine de l’enseignement de l’informatique dans l’ensemble de la province
Learn more
Additional High Schools Announced for First Year of Technology Career Pathway Pilot Program
Partnership Announced To Support Technology Career Pathway Programming in High Schools
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Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca
Kelly-Anne Roberts
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5248, 327-7005
kelly-anneroberts@gov.nl.ca