TechU.me plans to triple its reach from 10,000 students to 29,000 by 2017
OTTAWA, Oct. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - TechU.me, a successful local program that connects high tech industry mentors with high school students, is looking for new partners to expand locally and nationally.
The Ottawa Network for Education, which manages TechU.me, has reached out to the provincial government, high tech industry and education sector to secure the $1.5 million it needs to continue current programming and support its expansion to other cities, such as Waterloo, Ontario.
Since launching in 2012, TechU.me has:
- helped raise awareness of science and technology careers with 10,000 local students through its various programs
- paired 2,000 high school students with a classroom mentor from the local high tech sector as part of its flagship mentorship program
- expanded from four to 53 schools across all four school boards
Most importantly, TechU.me is achieving results. High schools with a TechU.me presence have reported a 35% increase in the number of students enrolled in senior computer studies, computer science and communications technology courses.
TechU.me has shown such promise that a number of national organizations, including the Canadian Advanced Technology Association (CATA), are promoting its expansion to other cities in Canada, calling it a "national best practice."
A report released this month by Let's Talk Science stated that approximately 70 per cent of Canada's top jobs require science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, but that close to 50 per cent of Canadian high school students drop STEM courses as soon as grade 10 mandatories are completed. The organization estimates this drop out rate costs Canada millions of dollars each year. The research also points to the need for industry to get involved in re-engaging students by showing them the relevance of what they are studying.
"We are grateful to our industry and education partners as well as FedDev Ontario for their contribution to our success thus far," said Steven Evraire, Director, TechU.me. "We are hoping that others will see what great work we do and join us in reaching even more students in Ottawa and beyond."
Forging new partnerships in industry, government and education will allow TechU.me to expand its successful mentorship program to even more local schools, and launch new programs to raise awareness of the career opportunities in technology with guidance counselors, parents, and teachers.
Photo Op:
Media interested in seeing the TechU.me program in action are invited to attend a mentorship session at All Saints High School in Kanata.
Who: Chris Manley, mentor from BlackBerry; 20 grade 11 students; teacher Tom Brooks, TechU.me representatives.
What: Mentor working with high school students on their app development projects; these projects are being developed for "clients" - grade 7 students at All Saints
When: 10:30am, Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Where: All Saints High School, 5115 Kanata Ave, Kanata
Quotes:
"The TechU.me program is a brilliant example of industry rolling up its sleeves to create the next generation of workers. With the success they've had, we believe this program should be expanding across the country to help raise awareness of technology careers with even more kids." -- John Reid, President and CEO, Canadian Advanced Technology Association.
"Industry mentorship is key to developing students' interest in pursuing a career in technology. That is why I've been such a strong supporter of TechU.me from the beginning. The program is such a great opportunity for us to contribute to building our industry's future talent." -- Frédéric Boulanger, CEO of software design and development firm, Macadamian.
"Ensuring technology companies have the talent they need to grow is really key to Ottawa. TechU.me provides an unparalleled opportunity for our local high tech industry to work directly with students to create the next generation of talent. We wholly support the work they do, and hope to not only see them continue their great work, but to take it to greater heights." -- Kelly Daize, Senior Business Development Manager, Invest Ottawa.
"IBM is proud to be a founding and ongoing supporter of the TechU.me program. I have seen firsthand the inspiring effect the TechU.me program has in encouraging students to pursue studies in technology, math, and science. Skills in advanced technologies are critical to the jobs of the future and the ability for all organizations to continue to innovate, meet client demands and grow. This innovation investment is essential to helping our community grow future innovators who will advance Canada's competitiveness on the world stage."-- Rob White, Vice-President, Mergers and Acquisitions, IBM.
"TechU.me is directly responsible for my decision to pursue a career in software engineering. It is through my work with mentors that I was able to visualize myself in a technology career. I sincerely hope the program will be able to continue and help even more students make informed choices for their careers." -- Samira El-Rayyes, TechU.me alumnus, 3rd year Software Engineering at University of Ottawa.
About TechU.me
TechU.me was created to encourage students to pursue careers in technology through events and educational programming in Ottawa's schools. These students work side-by-side with industry mentors who provide guidance, advice, and on-going support throughout their learning! To learn more about TechU.me, please visit the website at this link.
TechU.me's initial investment was provided through FedDev Ontario's Youth STEM initiative, aimed at encouraging students in kindergarten through grade 12 to pursue an education or career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as the STEM fields. The Youth STEM initiative is one of the ways the Government of Canada is working through innovation to drive growth and job creation in Canada.
About the Ottawa Network for Education
The Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE) brings together education and community partners committed to enriching public education in Ottawa. We harness the resources of the community to help students succeed in a rapidly changing world. Our Student Support and Career Preparation programs reach almost 80,000 students each year.
Join our network today and help us connect the community to support student success! To learn more, please visit our website at www.onfe-rope.ca or contact us directly at 613-366-3085 / [email protected].
SOURCE: Ottawa Network for Education
Annie Boucher
613-863-3702
[email protected]
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