Electronic Products & Technology

Educational program aimed at steering kids into tech

Stephen Law   

Electronics Engineering Technology technology

A brand new interactive online course designed to educate Ontario youth about the opportunities for amazing careers in technology has been launched by Heads of Technology (HOT), Skills Ontario and the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT). 

The course is designed for Grade 10 Career Studies classes as a way to promote technology career awareness using a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The course is open to anyone 13 years of age or older.

The course, titled Exploring Careers in Technology, educates students on the opportunities and pathways that exist in Engineering Technology careers through the Ontario College system. Funding and sponsorship for the course were provided by OACETT, Skills Ontario, HOT (represented by the Deans of Technology from the 24 colleges in Ontario), and Desire2Learn.

 

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According to a 2016 report from the Information and Communications Technology Council, by 2020 Canada will create an estimated 218,000 new tech jobs; however, it’s expected that there won’t be enough people with the right skills to fill them. About 29,000 new tech workers graduate from the education system each year, but Canada needs to graduate around 43,000 to keep up with demand for technology professionals.

“This online course will fill a crucial need to provide more education and resources for high school students regarding the variety of in-demand technology career options and pathways available to them after high school,” says Greg Miller, C.E.T., CBCO, president of OACETT. “Young people need to know that technology careers are in high demand, pay higher-than-average salaries, and provide many career growth opportunities, including entrepreneurism.”

 

Dr. Julia Biedermann, Conestoga College’s HOT representative, notes, “As technology continues to evolve rapidly, it is vital that all youth have opportunities to be informed of new career options and where they can go to receive the training required.”

 

Students who complete the course will gain enhanced knowledge about the numerous and diverse careers paths in Engineering Technology and where to go for more resources.

 

As with all Skills Ontario programming and resources, this course is available in both English and French (please note that D2L’s BrightSpace registration and navigation is in English only).

The course will be available online starting April 23, 2018, and can be accessed on the Desire2Learn Brightspace platform and skillsontario.com.

 

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