The TeKnoWave Initiative - More Details
TeKnoWave is in the process of putting together the
partnerships, resources and financing to roll out a program across
the country - a program which will develop 1,000 Aboriginal people
by 2005 with the skills and experience in IT and communications
technology to take advantage of the opportunities. Furthermore,
TeKnoWave will help create new role models, leaders and IT Champions
who can create new hope and opportunity for the youth to follow.
The initial programs within TeKnoWave will focus on
IT skills approved by the Ontario and Quebec Ministries of Education
and certified to international industry standards. The content has
been developed by Willis College and is being adapted to the local
context in consultation with Aboriginal IT firms. This will be augmented
by management and communications curricula developed by the University
of Winnipeg and essential workplace skills developed by Aboriginal
partners. Seminars and courses will also be developed to provide
overviews to band leaders and administrators.
To date, the following has been accomplished:
- The Joseph T. Norton Willis Scholarship
with a value of $18,000 has been established to support Aboriginal
youth studying IT at Willis College. An additional $12,000 in
living expenses has been raised for the Joseph T. Norton Scholarship
recipient,
- An exploratory collaboration has been struck with Aboriginal
leaders, Aboriginal communities, leading Aboriginal IT companies,
representatives from the private sector and university participants,
- An articulation agreement has been established between Willis
College and the University of Winnipeg for the transfer of credits
from TeKnoWave programs to the university;
- The Community Internship Program has been implemented whereby
all Willis College and TeKnoWave students are required to work
with local communities and charitable organizations to develop
IT applications as a prerequisite for a Willis College Diploma.
This element of TeKnoWave alone will contribute over $10 million
in benefits to local communities;
- Implementation planning is underway with the Odawa Native Friendship
Centre to launch pilot programs in the Ottawa region in 2002.
The full TeKnoWave Action Plan is currently being
developed to govern the national roll-out, to secure resources,
to create a comprehensive country-wide network of partners and to
secure accreditation in all jurisdictions.
The driving force behind this project is a strong
desire to ensure that Aboriginal youth are not only given the opportunity
to be part of the New Economy but to position themselves as leaders
to inspire indigenous peoples around the world. This will only be
accomplished through the development of a highly qualified Aboriginal
workforce.
Much work remains to be done.
For more information, please contact:
Rima Aristocrat (613) 233-1128 rima.aristocrat@williscollege.com
Grant Thomas (613) 265-7000 gthomas@thomasnet.ca
Cliff Summers (613) 722-3811 csummers@odawa.on.ca
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