First-ever tech camp hopes to entice

Jun 12, 2017 | 3:00 PM

As the economy shifts its focus towards technology, local leaders are thinking ahead. 

Community Futures and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have partnered to offer a new take on summer camps; one focused on programming and gaming. The goal is to hook youth early on the world of tech.

“You hear the word innovation all the time and we are starting to prepare for the digital economy,” Joseph Kiunga, general manager of Prince Albert and District Community Futures said. “And we have to make sure we are building capacity for this locally.”

This is the first year the Tech Camps for Saskatchewan Youth have been offered. Those enrolled will be introduced to the world of animation, digital gaming, coding and programming. Kiunga said young people will learn how these skills can translate into the world of business or be used as the foundation for a future career.

He thought the camps were a fun way to educate youth and help foster entrepreneurship. The hope was by educating and engaging youth at a young age, it could benefit the local economy in the long run.

“We can end up keeping our people here,” he said. “They learn to see they don’t have to go to Toronto to go get a technical education or job.”

The driving factor behind the camps is the demand for workers with these skills. According to Kiunga, in the coming decades, there will be a demand for nearly 300,000 people who have the ability to program.

“There is a gap in those with these skills. This is something highlighted in the federal budget. They will be pumping money that direction because they realize that is the edge for the future,” Kiunga said.

The camps will be offered in 10 communities across Saskatchewan. They are directed to those aged 13 to 17, and locally will take place at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus. They run from July 31 to Aug. 2.

 

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr