Key Takeaways:
- Canada’s tech industry makes up 5% of the country’s GDP.
- If you want to work in Canada’s technology sector, or become a tech practitioner, the lowest you can earn is around CA$34,792 per year, while the highest is around CA$114,300.
- Many provinces in Canada have already made it mandatory to teach coding to kids in kindergarten or elementary school.
- Canada’s coding classes allow you to finish a course in a few days, weeks, or months.
Canada is known for its education system that is one of the best in the world, top-notch institutions, and welcoming environment for immigrants and international students. You can be certain that when it comes to education, Canada’s offerings are not only among the best, but they’re also inclusive.
But how does Canada fare when it comes to coding and other tech-related education? Is it worth it to take coding classes in Canada? How about coding classes for beginners—are there ones available in Canada?
In this article, we will be answering those questions and more.
Reasons Why Coding Classes in Canada Are Worth Taking
It Opens Up Career Opportunities
Whether you want to increase your opportunities as a programmer in Canada or outside of it, you are sure to gain an edge in the global tech industry by signing up for coding classes in Canada.
Canada has a reputation for being a leading country when it comes to education. In fact, in 2021, the country ranked 4th in the world’s best education systems, per the World Population Review.
Although it ranked below countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, Canada ranked better in terms of high scores in specific subjects: math, science, and reading. Thus, education in Canada ensures a bright future and career for you.
Moreover, if you plan to continue looking for opportunities in Canada, you can still get a high chance of working there.
Canada’s tech sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, and right now, it makes up 5 percent of the country’s GDP.
Canada is also experiencing a shortage in its IT talents. For example, there are around 9,000 tech companies in British Columbia alone. Because of that, the tech industry is employing more people compared to other industries, such as the combined industry of mining, forestry, and oil and gas.
If you don’t want to work specifically in the tech industry, you can still use your tech skills to work in other fields. The good news about studying coding in Canada is that different industries and sectors need tech experts to make their procedures modern and up to date.
Knowing How To Code Can Get You a High-Paying Job
If you want to work in the tech sector, whether in IT, computer science, or other tech jobs, it is important that you also have fundamental coding experiences.
Although the salary per industry and job role may differ, what’s certain is that expertise and other tech-related skills can lead to you getting a high salary.
The average annual salary of an IT practitioner in Canada is CA$81,500. The lowest earners can get an average annual salary of CA$58,750, while the top earners, CA$114,300.
For programmers, the lowest annual average is around CA$34,792, and the highest is around CA$81,430.
Tech industries and tech-related jobs in other countries are also some of the highest-paid jobs and fastest-growing industries now.
In the United States, for example, tech-related jobs are expected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030. The speed is also faster than the average.
In Many Provinces, Coding Is Already Part of the Curriculum
If you want to study coding, Canada is one of the best places to do it. This is because many educators (and even young people) in Canada already know coding. Thus, if you are worried about the type of education you will get, do not.
Many of Canada’s provinces have already mandated its institutions to offer coding classes for beginners. Depending on the provinces, some provinces start in kindergarten, while others in elementary. The number one reason for this is Canada’s tech industry, which is continuously growing and in need of more individuals with coding skills.
Another reason is that in Ontario, for example, developing coding skills prepares students to learn crucial life and job skills that are important outside of school. This is more relevant now, when computer technology has become a fixture in our daily lives and societies.
Some provinces that have already incorporated coding in their curriculums are Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
You Can Finish in Less Than a Year
If you want to study coding in Canada, you have a lot of options to choose from. There are many coding classes for beginners that you can take.
There are degree courses that can usually take you three to four years to finish. If you are pressed for time and want to finish sooner, there are also short courses available.
Whether you want to study coding for a short time through short courses or get a full degree, Canada has those options. In fact, you can even finish a coding course in less than a year or even several weeks.
Some organizations and institutions offer short courses through bootcamps. These bootcamps can last for a few days or weeks, to a few months. Coding bootcamps are useful for many beginners, from young individuals to those thinking of transitioning to a career in coding or those who want to add coding to their skillset.
How Do You Become a Programmer in Canada?
Now that you know the different career-related perks of studying coding in Canada, you may also wonder how one can become a programmer in Canada.
There are no specific requirements for becoming a programmer in Canada. However, if you want to increase your chances of working there as a programmer, you need to have strong practical experience in programming, information technology, or computer science.
Before those, you first need to have a basic understanding of coding. This includes learning different programming languages, such as Python, C++, Java, .Net, JavaScript, and so on.
Overall, taking coding classes in Canada is not only worth it but also useful. It can help you pursue a better career, and it also teaches you skills necessary in today’s digital society.
Before you can pursue higher studies in IT or computer science, it is important that you first know the basics of coding. If you want to start learning how to code, check out our list of available courses and enroll now.
Bibliography
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CBC News. (2016, October 20). Why learning computer coding is important, according to advocates. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/why-learning-computer-coding-is-so-important-according-to-advocates-1.3814420
Immigration CA. (2019, January 4). Computer programmers: Canadian businesses need you. https://www.immigration.ca/computer-programmers-canadian-businesses-needs-you
International Trade Administration. (2020, August 20). Canada country commercial guide. https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/canada-information-and-communications-technology-ict
Julie, A. (2017, August 24). Teaching coding in Canadian schools: how do the provinces measure up? Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/3693932/teaching-coding-in-canadian-schools-how-do-the-provinces-measure-up/
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Computer and information technology occupations. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
Fleming, S. (2021, July 10). Ontario is modernizing its maths curriculum to emphasize coding skills and personal finance. World Economic Forum.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/ontario-maths-coding-skills-personal-finance/
Education Rankings By Country 2021. (n.d.) https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/education-rankings-by-country
