The government of Nova Scotia has announced a six year pilot program, to be launched September 2019, designed to help students prepare for a career in the province’s technology sector. The government will be investing an initial $2 million into the program.
“The skills gap is mounting as new technologies transform industries and jobs.”
The program, called the Technology Advantage Program, will be run in collaboration with the province, IBM, and the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). The program is modeled after IBM’s Pathways in Technology Early College High School, known as the P-TECH model, which creates a direct connection between high schools, college, and careers.
Students will be able to participate in the program from grades 9 to 12, and then attend NSCC, where they will work towards a two-year technology diploma. The government will be covering tuition costs.
Students will have access to various workplace experiences that include mentorship opportunities, internships, and co-operative education placement. Graduates of the program will be guaranteed interviews for available IBM job positions.
“As business, government, and education leaders, we all have a role to play to prepare our students for the new technology-driven opportunities of the future,” said Ayman Antoun, president, IBM Canada. “The skills gap is mounting as new technologies transform industries and jobs.”
The program is available to students who attend a junior high school that feeds into Cole Harbour District High School, J.L. Ilsley High School, and Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School. The first class will be made up of about 80 students.
“Creating opportunities for young people to see a future for themselves in Nova Scotia is an important priority for the government,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “This new and unique program will help address future labour market needs in our province’s growing technology sector.”
Last year, the Nova Scotia government launched a public sector innovation garage in collaboration with IBM. The garage is a space that offers expertise, methodologies, tools, and software in order to deliver public sector programs and services.
Featured image via Pixabay.