McMaster Engineering youth camps receive federal funding to teach underrepresented groups how to code

Actua, the national organization that represents Venture and LEAP camps at McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering, was named the largest recipient of funding from the Government of Canada’s new CanCode program.

CanCode is a $50 million dollar fund, announced in the federal budget 2017, that is supporting the development of coding and digital skills for youth from kindergarten to grade 12 (K-12). The program aims to equip youth, including traditionally underrepresented groups, with the skills and study incentives they need to be prepared for the jobs of today and the future.

As a network member of Actua, Venture and LEAP youth programs, run through McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering, is pleased to be receiving a portion of Actua’s CanCode funding. This funding will go towards scaling up the Faculty’s community programming to reach even more youth in Hamilton with inspiring, hands-on coding and digital skills experiences.

“Venture and LEAP are working towards inspiring youth to pursue education and careers within the world of engineering and science and this funding allows us to give youth access, at no cost to them, to the tools and skillsets that will provide them with the confidence to work towards being the developers and innovators of tomorrow,” said Steph Elder, Outreach Director for the Faculty of Engineering Youth Programs.

McMaster Engineering is one of 35 network members receiving CanCode funding through Actua and will work with colleagues across the network to develop and exchange content that will help inspire Canada’s next generation of innovators.

“We are honoured to be a recipient of CanCode funding and thrilled to provide additional support to McMaster Engineering to engage more youth in building digital skills,” said Jennifer Flanagan, President and CEO of Actua. “This support means that thousands more youth in Hamilton will have the opportunity to access free, deep-impact, face-to-face learning experiences which are critical to their future success and our future Canadian workforce.”

Actua’s 35 network members will reach 500,000 youth and over 10,000 teachers across every province and territory with CanCode funding.

McMaster Engineering offers a variety of programs both in-class and on-campus for youth from kindergarten to Grade 12. Learn more: https://youthprograms.eng.mcmaster.ca/