Optimizing the design and implementation of technology education programs to advance skills and diversity in information and communications technology (ICT) in Canada

There is ample evidence that increasing Canadas innovation, productivity and competitive advantage depends on expanding its skilled digital workforce to both implement and adopt innovative technologies. Despite the pressing need to increase the digital skills and participation of underrepresented groups in information and communications technology (ICT) industry and programs to diversifying computer science, the numbers have remained persistently low. While some initiatives have demonstrated success, often it is transient and not sustained. Operating in 29 Canadian cities, Canada Learning Code (CLC) believes that computer programming and other technical skills are essential tools for building a skilled and competitive ICT sector and focuses on using innovative programming to make these tools more accessible to all Canadians. The purpose of this research project is to develop a framework for assessing the effectiveness and social return on investment of CLC programs and similar interventions and to provide input into program optimization and scaling.

Faculty Supervisor:

Wendy Cukier

Student:

Samantha Jackson

Partner:

Ladies Learning Code

Discipline:

Political science

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Program: