78% of Canadians report that workers would be more productive if they had additional Internet and technology skills, according to new poll

.CA Community Investment Program marks launch of 2015 funding program with collaborative research study with Ipsos on Canadian attitudes on digital technology and skills

OTTAWA, Feb. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Canadians want more training in Internet technologies to keep the country competitive, according to a new poll from .CA Community Investment Program and Ipsos Reid. The study, released today with the launch of the .CA Community Investment Program for 2015, points to a significant national consensus on the positive role that the Internet can have on Canada's economic and social well-being.

"This study confirms that Canadians have high expectations for the value of the Internet to Canada's social and economic fabric," said David Fowler, Director of Communications and Marketing for .CA. "We take this challenge seriously and have designed the .CA Community Investment Program to provide funding to projects that improve the Internet in Canada. This year CIRA will distribute $1 million to projects working on the ground to deploy solutions to meet the challenges raised in this study." 

Summary of results

• 90 per cent of respondents pointed to the importance of supporting unemployed workers with training in new technology and 78 per cent of respondents agree that Canadian workers overall would be more productive if they had more skills related to technology and the Internet.
• 82 per cent of respondents agree that all young people should graduate from high school with basic skills to help them succeed in the digital economy, such as computer coding skills. Notably, 90 per cent Canadians also endorsed the role that math and science skills have in supporting economic growth.
• 87 per cent of respondents agree that promoting better Internet access is important for Canada's economy.
  • Low income Canadians firmly believe in the importance of the Internet to Canada's economy with half (49 per cent) strongly agreeing compared with 43 per cent overall.

In 2014, the first round of the .CA Community Investment Program provided $1.2 million in funding to 29 projects across the country, including, MakerKids, Hive Toronto / Mozilla, Kids Code Jeunesse and the Vancouver Community Network that all address issues raised  in this joint .CA Community Investment Program/ Ipsos research report.

For more information on this survey data, consult the factsheet.

.CA Community Investment Program now open for applications

Community groups, not-for-profit organizations and academic researchers seeking funding for innovative projects that leverage Internet technology should consider applying for funding from the .CA Community Investment Program. The application period for the next $1 million of funding officially opens today, February 4^th.

About .CA and the Community Investment Program

Through the Community Investment Program, .CA funds projects that demonstrate the capacity to improve the Internet for all Canadians. The .CA team manages Canada's country code top-level domain on behalf of all Canadians. A Member-driven organization, .CA represents the interests of Canada's Internet community internationally.

SOURCE Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

and interview requests: Ryan Saxby Hill, Communications Manager for .CA, [email protected], 613-316-2397