Canada Learning Code, an initiative that specializes in digital literacy education, announced that it has received a $525,000 donation from Amazon.
Amazon provided the donation to support the development of a Canadian kindergarten to Grade 12 computer science educational framework, and to develop coding education programs such as a traveling mobile classroom and Canada Learning Code Week. Canada Learning Code said the donation will help create 275,000 learner experiences over three years, enabling Canadian youth to learn skills to create and invent new technologies.
“We are proud to support Canada Learning Code on their mission to ensure every Canadian student has access to computer science education.”
“We are excited to embark on this new relationship with Amazon to help realize our vision of every child from kindergarten to grade 12 having the opportunity to learn the skills they will need for the future,” said Melissa Sariffodeen, CEO of Canada Learning Code. “This donation by Amazon will have a transformative effect on Canadian skills development needed to prosper in the digital economy.”
Canada Learning Code, which was launched by Ladies Learning Code, said that the donation will support the organization’s goals, especially as more Canadians are supporting the adoption of a K-12 computer science framework in the education curriculum.
To celebrate the donation, Canada Learning Code and Amazon co-hosted a Future of Work event in Vancouver yesterday to discuss how to prepare Canadians for an evolving workforce. The event featured panelists including Sariffodeen; Beth Galetti, Amazon’s SVP of Worldwide Human Resources; Bruce Ralston, British Columbia’s minister of jobs, trade, and technology; and Carolyn Tuckwell, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC.
“We are proud to support Canada Learning Code on their mission to ensure every Canadian student has access to computer science education,” said Alexandre Gagnon, vice president of Amazon Canada and Mexico. “This donation will help provide students the skills they need to excel in one of Canada’s fastest growing job sectors.”
In June 2017, Canada Learning Code hosted a Canada Learning Code Week to help students celebrate Canada 150, digitally.
Photo via Unsplash
