July 2019, Ottawa – Students attending George Brown College will benefit from new learning opportunities which will enhance their skills and prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow.
George Brown College is collaborating with the Information and Communications and Technology Council (ICTC) to support education-industry partnerships that will enhance opportunities for students in the digital economy as part of ICTC’s Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital Program. Like the first generation of the Internet before it, the second generation based on blockchain will transform every industry, which will empower innovation and growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that represent the large majority of Canada’s economy. Recognizing the rapid change and digital disruption that blockchain has caused, George Brown College is the first Canadian college to offer a certificate in Blockchain Development.
Through mutual agreement ICTC and George Brown College will share knowledge to aid in strengthening skills required to continue blockchain innovation by Canadian SMEs. Both organizations will also work to ensure students placements are providing key learning outcomes.
“This partnership is a demonstration of our commitment to work integrated learning. It gives us the ability to enhance opportunities for students by providing the valuable, relevant experience that they need to thrive in emerging sectors while also giving employers access to new talent and ideas,” says Luigi Ferrara, Dean, Centre for Arts, Design and Information Technology, George Brown College.
“George Brown College is to be applauded for its foresight and responsiveness to the emerging digital economy. Blockchain is starting to have a huge impact on the global economy. Canadian employers will need to have access to workers trained in this discipline to be competitive. ICTC predicts that by 2024, Canada will see a demand for 107,000 high paying blockchain jobs,” said Elizabeth Mills, ICTC’S Director Skills Development.
George Brown’s Blockchain Development program focuses on designing and implementing decentralized applications by leveraging blockchain technology. The three-semester program is designed to also thoroughly cover full stack development to give students all the tools they need to succeed in this emerging and exciting field.
About ICTC and WIL Digital
ICTC is a not-for-profit national centre of expertise for the digital economy. It is the trusted source for evidence-based policy advice, forward looking research, and creative capacity building programs for the digital economy.
The ICTC WIL Digital Program is designed to work with academic institutions and industry to give students the skills needed to work in emerging technology sectors. Over four years, WIL Digital will create over a thousand high-quality work experiences for students across Canada. The program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program.
About George Brown College
Toronto’s George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. The college offers programs from its three campuses located across the downtown core. George Brown offers 167 full-time programs and 191 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to a student body of over 30,000 (full-time enrollment) students, including 23 per cent international students; and over 68,000 continuing education registrants. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca
Media contact information
Information and Communications Technology Council – Stephanie Wilson, Director, Strategic Outreach 1- 613-850-1395 @email
George Brown College - Joyann Callender, External Communications Manager (416) 415-5000 x3159 @email
