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WATERLOO, ON April 23, 2018 – Heads of Technology (HOT), Skills Ontario and the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) have launched a brand new interactive online course to educate Ontario youth about the opportunities for amazing careers in technology in Ontario.
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.
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.
About Skills Ontario
Skills Ontario is building Ontario’s skilled trades and technologies workforce. We enable and empower all youth, including women and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth, to consider a career in the skilled trades and technologies. Engagement with students, teachers, parents, volunteers, employers and mentors ensure our programs connect education, experience, and employment. We deliver in-school presentations across Ontario, host Canada’s largest skills competition, run summer camps for skills development and connect students to employers. We are focused on growth sectors such as construction and infrastructure, technology innovation, and hospitality services.
About HOT
As a Committee under Colleges Ontario, the Heads of Technology is the voice of Ontario college technology education both provincially and nationally, and leads provincial initiatives related to technology education, applied research and career development. HOT ensures Ontario college technology programs are recognized for their excellence provincially, nationally and internationally. HOT provides leadership, expert advice, advocates for the sector and identifies opportunities that will increase the profile of technology careers and education.
About OACETT
Representing more than 25,000 members across the province, OACETT is the professional association that promotes the interests of engineering and applied science technicians and technologists to industry, educational institutions, the government and the public. OACETT is Ontario’s independent certifying body for engineering and applied science technicians and technologists. Members hold one of the following designations: C.E.T. (Certified Engineering Technologist), C.Tech. (Certified Technician) or A.Sc.T. (Applied Science Technologist).
Media Contacts:
Anne Ramsay
Manager of Communications, Skills Ontario
aramsay@skillsontario.com
David Terlizzi
Director, Professional Affairs, Services and Government Relations, OACETT
dterlizzi@oacett.org
