News Release: High School Students Meet Their Match Through techNL’s Inaugural High School Technology Immersion Internship

Jul 14, 2021 | News

July 14, 2021 – St. John’s, NL: As part of techNL’s Tech Talent Strategy, high school students from across the province have been matched with local technology companies for an immersive summer 2021 internship.

Partnering with companies in the thriving technology sector in our province, this program encourages students to pursue a technology or technology-enabled career right here at home which in turn helps meet the talent needs of the sector and support continued growth.

The program officially kicked-off on June 28th with opening remarks from: The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; Dan Brake, techNL Chair; Paul Preston, techNL CEO; and, Promise Enemuo, a Nigerian living in St. John’s currently enrolled in her third semester of the Software Development program at Keyin College. The students attended two days of orientation that included workplace etiquette, an investor pitch challenge, and interactive panels with local tech founders.

The nine-week internship for Grade 11 and 12 students includes a four-week skills bootcamp delivered by Keyin College in which students will learn the foundational skills of coding in the Python programming language and earn a micro-credential. Following this training, the students will spend the remainder of the internship working directly with the assigned employer. Of the 2021 cohort, 40% of students live outside the metro region and 30% identify as girls or non-binary individuals.

The High School Technology Immersion Internship will:

  • Provide students with an inside look at the unique environment and culture of a tech company.
  • Support students as they improve their technology and business skills, build trust in their abilities, and become better prepared for future opportunities.
  • Help companies discover and train the future workforce of the technology sector.
  • Improve the participation of women and other underrepresented groups in the sector.

The Government of Canada through ACOA is investing $308,909 and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology is contributing $28,658 to this initiative.

Participating companies include: Beaufort Software; Bench Boss; Bluedrop; Celtx; ClearRisk; Compusult; Driven Power Spots; Genoa Design; HYKE!; JAC; MetricsFlow; Mysa; PolyUnity; Newfound Marketing; Rodent Retreat; Sequence Bio; SucSeed; Solace Power; and Zorbits Math by Carnegie Learning.

Quotes

“Engaging our youth is key to fueling the talent pipeline and building a world-class engine of technology skills right here in our province. techNL member companies have stepped up to provide invaluable real-world experience in the sector to the participants. These Grade 11 and 12 students will also be adding knowledge of software development to their own tool kits, thanks to the Keyin College bootcamp that has been incorporated into the program. Exposure to the industry combined with the foundational skills of coding will inspire and empower students to further explore a well-paying and fulfilling tech sector career right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

  • Paul Preston, CEO, techNL

“I’m extremely happy to have this opportunity to work in a new environment and gain new experiences and connections. Being able to spend my summer interning with a tech company like Celtx is very valuable to me as I want to build my experience in the tech industry. When I first heard about this opportunity, I knew I had to apply.”

  • Paige Snelgrove, Intern & Exploits Valley High Grade 12 graduate

“The team at Genoa is so pleased to participate in this techNL program. As a high growth company, our success depends on emerging post-secondary talent, and this career planning starts in high school. In my high school experience, I had limited exposure to the technical and business opportunities available. I’m thrilled we can offer that experience to students today and help shape their future career decisions. It’s an exciting time for shipbuilding, with a heightened focus on technological innovations, and our goal is for the students on our team to experience that during their nine weeks, rotating through the various departments that make up our thriving business.”

  • Laurie Balan, Chief Technical Officer, Genoa Design International

“Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech industry is creative, innovative, and determined to grow even bigger. techNL empowers youth in our province to learn new digital skills and build their careers, because it’s our young people who will lead the way towards a more prosperous future.”

  • The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“This great initiative will provide valuable experiences for students, giving them a first-hand look at the tech sector, and the numerous opportunities that come with it. Our province’s tech industry needs talented, hardworking people, and this program could be the first step for many as they enter the future workforce of the technology sector.”

  • The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“For high school graduates, the technology and innovation sector is full of opportunities for a bright future in this province. Through this partnership with TechNL, students are learning technology and business skills that will prepare them for the careers of today and tomorrow.”

  • The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education

“These are exciting times in Newfoundland and Labrador. Innovation and technology continue to open global opportunities for our exploding tech sector companies. However, the need to supply this sector with an innovative workforce is a huge challenge and opportunity.

Keyin College is proud to partner with techNL, to help our youth unlock the wonderful career path that this sector provides. This program engages high school students through a glimpse into the exciting world of innovation.”

  • Craig Tucker, President, Keyin College

About techNL

techNL is a not-for-profit industry association that works closely with members, industry and government to help shape policy and advocate for those issues that matter most to members. As the voice of the $1.6 billion technology sector in NL, techNL’s mission is to help members grow and scale through work on talent development, programming, technology advocacy, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships. More information can be found on the website technl.ca.

Media Contacts

Marlayne Hardy
techNL
709-330-7122
marlayne@technl.ca

Paul McGrath
Director of Communications – Newfoundland and Labrador
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) / Government of Canada
paul.mcgrath@acoa-apeca.gc.ca Tel: 709-689-5731 (mobile)

Eric Humber
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5777, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

Erika Kelland
Communications and Marketing Manager, Genoa Design International
(709) 690-4174
ekelland@genoadesign.com