Assiniboine College hosted more than 140 high school students from across Manitoba Thursday (November 6) at the college's Tech Summit. The event highlighted Assiniboine programs and subsequent careers in science, engineering, math and technology (STEM), providing students hands-on opportunities to explore this field.
Under the theme "Plug in to Tech," students from Grades 9 to 12 dove into interactive workshops and demonstrations across six innovative program areas: Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Media & Communications, Web & Interactive Development, Digital Art & Design, Civil Technology, and Network Administration Technology.
"This is a chance for students to see how technology is shaping the world around them, and how they can be part of it," said Jana Sproule, Chair of Media & Office Tech, Peters School of Business. "Whether it's designing digital content, building smart systems, or developing interactive web experiences, our programs offer real-world skills that lead to exciting careers."
As part of the day, students rotated through several workshop sessions. The event also included opportunities for high schoolers to connect with instructors and current students, giving participants a taste of post-secondary life and the pathways available at Assiniboine leading to careers in Manitoba's growing STEM sector.
"The Tech Summit is a way for us to connect with students who are exploring their options and let them know that Assiniboine is somewhere they can receive quality education and training in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)," said Dave Perkins, Academic Chair, Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment. "Our students learn by doing, build valuable skills, and graduate ready to contribute to the workforce."
The summit is well timed, as the recent Innovation and Prosperity Report: Charting a Sovereign, Value-Added Future for Manitoba spoke to the future of the technology sector in Manitoba. Produced by the Innovation and Productivity Taskforce (IPT) for the Province of Manitoba, the report examined the many opportunities that are poised to strengthen Manitoba's economy while ensuring worker and families benefit from the global shift towards data, AI, and intellectual properties. The report also highlighted the important role post-secondary educational institutions play in bolstering this ever-evolving landscape, with an eye towards continuing to seek out people to fill critical labour shortages.
True to that mission, events like the Tech Summit further highlight Assiniboine's position as a leader in technology-related programming. In our most recent Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Survey, it shows that 96 per cent of Assiniboine graduates have jobs within nine months of completing their studies, with 96 per cent remaining in Manitoba after graduation.
To find out more about technology related programs at Assiniboine, visit assiniboine.net/technology.
