Saskatchewan Polytechnic is one of 12 post-secondary institutions across Canada to sign up for a new initiative from Microsoft aimed towards technology students.

Dean of the School of Continuing Education, Paul Carter, says the Microsoft Canada Skills program gives students and learners the opportunity to acquire high demand digital skills and certifications. He says current students will be able to graduate from their programs with these certifications, while the other group they will look to serve will be working professionals in the technology industry. Carter suggests this will give professionals a chance to ratchet up their career opportunities by gaining new skills and certifications from Sask Polytech and a highly recognized company like Microsoft.

Microsoft will train and certify faculty trainers for a curriculum that will include skills in data and AI technologies.

Carter says it’s an important program for a variety of reasons, as the technology industry in the province is growing, even during the pandemic, and is in dire need of skilled professionals.
He adds this is an opportunity for people to gain those skills and maybe restart their career in a different industry. Carter adds this is one of the many things Sask Polytech is doing to contribute to the Saskatchewan 2030 growth plan. A plan he says that talks about growing and multiplying the tech industry in Saskatchewan and they need to play their part to provide qualified and trained professionals.