Innovation & Job News

The Ladies Learning Code are taking code mobile

Jessica Vomiero | Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The Ladies Learning Code are hitting the road. Last week, the LLC announced the launch of their cross-country tour, code:mobile, during which they’ll hit each one of the group’s 29 Canadian chapters as well 30 additional cities.

The goal of the program is to bring technological literacy to youth and communities across the country that wouldn’t otherwise have access to it.

“I think technology should be as representative as the people using it, said Melissa Sariffodeen, the co-executive director

After kicking off in Toronto on May 1, Ladies Learning Code headed to Ottawa to Quebec City, where the group is currently hosting a slew of coding boot camps for kids, families and under-serviced groups.

While on tour, the group is planning to his several underprivileged and indigenous communities. Sariffodeen explains that this was no accident.

“If they’re not part of this, then how are we ever going to solve the world’s biggest problems?”
She goes on to say that the path towards a thriving technology ecosystem in Canada is tackling the diversity issue that’s so often present in the tech space; whether that be gender, class or age-based.

As a testament to the demographics Ladies Learning Code is trying to reach, Sariffodeen emphasizes a focus on youth programs which give participants the skills to solve the problems of the future.

Coding, she says, is a language that can apply to all walks of life. In teaching kids how to code, and giving parents and teachers the tools to continue that education at home, youth will be equipped with the skills they need to tackle anything.

“It shows [parents] how their kids can be builders, not just consumers.”

The group has partnered with Microsoft’s YouthSpark program to help launch this initiative. In a statement sent to YongeStreet, recanted Microsoft’s commitment to empowering youth with opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.

"Microsoft is proud to partner with Ladies Learning Code to provide young girls the opportunity to learn and develop skills in computer programming and technology," said Dennis Lopes, Microsoft Canada's Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs.

"These workshops will provide girls across Canada the opportunity to engage with a technology in a manner that we hope will ultimately inspire them to pursue careers in the field of computer science."

Ladies Learning Code launched in 2012 with the goal of teaching girls across Canada between the ages of eight and 13 to code. According to a report, women are habitually underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers, comprising only 39 percent of these roles.

In launching code:mobile, Ladies Learning Code is hoping to remove the barriers to access that women and other minority groups face regarding technology.

Ladies Learning Code will be heading out to Montreal on Wednesday. Those interested in attending a workshop or requesting a visit from the group can visit the website here.

Happy coding!

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