Latest news with #BlackfootTechCouncil

Calgary Herald

Siksika high school students make history completing "groundbreaking" tech training program

Students at Siksika Nation High School in Alberta have made history as the first cohort to successfully complete a first-of-its-kind digital skills training program in Canada. Article content The inaugural cohort finished the program with a 93 per cent completion rate, an 'exceptional' achievement that marks a significant milestone in Indigenous education and technology training, program officials say. Article content Article content Article content The 'groundbreaking' digital literacy initiative is the result of a joint partnership between Siksika Nation High School, Blackfoot Tech Council and the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a global leader in IT certification. The program aims to provide foundational digital skills with a curriculum that is relevant to their community and cultural values, the Blackfoot Tech Council said in a release. Article content Article content 'The overwhelming success of this program demonstrates the incredible potential when we combine community-driven initiatives with quality educational resources,' said Siksika Nation High School principal Lisa Calf Robe in a statement. 'Our students have shown remarkable dedication and achievement, proving that with the right support and culturally and contextually relevant programming, Indigenous learners can excel in technology fields.' Article content Blackfoot Tech Council board chair Harlon McMaster said the program is proof that Siksika's students can excel in technology when provided with the right pathways to learn. Article content 'We are very proud of these students and their achievement,' he said in a statement. 'The completion rate shows what's possible when we design education that truly serves our communities. Article content 'We're excited to see how these graduates will use their skills to benefit both their futures and their communities.' Article content A spokesperson for the Computing Technology Industry Association said the program has empowered students with an understanding of essential technology concepts. Article content 'By enhancing their digital literacy, they've opened the doors to a variety of options for additional classroom learning, industry certifications and ultimately, a variety of career options,' CompTIA account director Gary Mofford said in a statement. Article content Students reported feeling more confident using technology and seeing 'significant improvements' in their digital skills and technology knowledge, the release states. Article content Since 2021, the Blackfoot Tech Council has offered training programs in partnership with CompTIA and other partners to deliver eight training programs in Siksika Nation, tailored to IT specialists, community members and high school students. More than 100 community members have completed training programs as of June 2025. Article content 'These initiatives have led to enhanced technical capacity in Siksika Nation, and positive employment outcomes in the community's IT industry and beyond for Nation members,' the release states. Article content The success of the inaugural high school program has set 'a strong precedent' for future technology education initiatives in Indigenous communities across Canada, according to program officials.