Teaching a generation to code

Port Cares and Code Niagara have teamed up to teach local youth how to code Friday in Port Colborne.

Computer programming, more commonly known today as coding, is one of the fastest growing sectors across the nation, a release from Port Cares and Code Niagara said.

“In 2018, 51 per cent of all science and technology related jobs will be coding related and will continue to grow at four times the national average. Code Niagara is an initiative that was born to ensure that we are preparing today’s Niagara for tomorrow’s Canada,” the release said.

Niagara native Yashvi Shah, who recently completed a Masters in Information Systems and Technology, is joining with

Port Cares to ensure local youth are prepared for the countrty’s changing economy.

While urban areas in Canada have mobilized to address the situation by providing ample in-school and extra-curricular training programs to give students exposure to these critical skills, more remote, rural areas are lagging, the release said.

“Young people from smaller, more rural communities like ours risk being left behind in this new digital revolution. Port Cares’ initiative with Code Niagara will level the employment playing field by providing our area youth with new, in-demand skills,” said Port Cares executive director Christine Clark Lafleur.

Code Niagara’s partnership with Port Cares will provide technical coding training with the first feefree five-hour session taking place Friday at Port Cares, 92 Charlotte St., Port Colborne. For more information, contact Port Cares at 905834-3629, and for more information on Code Niagara, visit www. codeniagara.com.