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OCIF funds TECHNATION to strengthen Calgary’s tech talent pipeline

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CALGARY, AB, Dec. 9, 2024 /CNW/ – The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is committing $862,500 over seven months to TECHNATION for the support of 250 work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities in Calgary’s tech sector. The funding will help students gain hands-on experience in vital tech roles, strengthening Calgary’s talent pipeline and diversifying its economy.

“Calgary is continuing to demonstrate its leadership as a tech hub,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “OCIF’s investment in TECHNATION is focused on building a welcoming and inclusive tech sector which is critical to fostering a resilient and diverse economy.”

More than 80 per cent of the placements will be with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supporting local innovation and growth, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence. At least 50 per cent of participants will be from underrepresented groups, promoting diversity and inclusion within Calgary’s tech workforce. This aligns with the priority in Calgary’s economic action plan, Uplook, to advance innovation through the real-world application of new solutions.

“Investing in real-world experiences for students is essential for building the confidence and skills of our next generation of leaders,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, Government of Alberta. “This investment will empower students and create new opportunities for small businesses by expanding access to tech talent. Together, we are building a stronger, more competitive workforce for Alberta’s future.”

This investment will leverage TECHNATION’s established and proven Career Ready Program, which has provided work integrated learning opportunities across Canada for the past eight years. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program, the Career Ready Program has seen success since launching in 2017, with over 20,000 students and over 7,000 employers benefiting from student work terms.

Funding for this initiative is supported by all three levels of government, including federal, provincial, municipal, and employer contribution. OCIF’s investment will be bolstered by TECHNATION’s $1.25 million funding from the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program, $1.13 million from the Government of Alberta’s Workforce Development Grant, and $720,000 from participating employers.

“Programs like this are essential for attracting investment, growing our economy, and shaping Calgary’s future workforce,” said Brad Parry, CEO, Opportunity Investment Fund and President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development. “Support from all three levels of government and private investors highlights the significance of this project and its impact on our community. Capital follows talent, and OCIF will continue to foster Calgary’s next generation.”

This collaborative effort aims to address a critical gap in Calgary’s tech sector by ensuring students gain the skills and experience needed to transition from academic learning to professional careers.

“Calgary’s tech sector will continue accelerating at a rapid pace—and we’re proud to bring industry and multi-level governments together to fuel this growth,” said Angela Mondou, President & CEO, TECHNATION.

“This new program strengthens TECHNATION’s Future Workforce Development ecosystem, offering local tech businesses, including many of our members, the enhanced financial support needed to bring in the resources needed to help Canada’s innovators scale up. This initiative paves the way for sustainable industry growth while developing the next generation of tech-skilled professionals from AI and Cybersecurity to emerging skills.”

OCIF funding seamlessly integrates into TECHNATION’s established Career Ready Program, a wage subsidy initiative supporting businesses by offering financial solutions to hire a student for a work-term placement.  In addition to WIL placements, students will have the opportunity to earn micro-credentials and receive further training to boost their employability.

“TECHNATION’s innovative programs and unwavering commitment to fostering Canada’s digital economy have been pivotal to our success at Code Ninjas Marda Loop. This collaboration not only strengthens Calgary’s tech community but also drives innovation and inspires the next generation of tech leaders,” said Zep Molnar, Owner & Centre Director, Code Ninjas Marda Loop & TECHNATION Member.

To date, OCIF has allocated over $82 million to 31 projects, which has created or retained over 3,000 jobs, created or scaled almost 900 companies, attracted $34 million in additional funding from government partners and generated almost $800 million in economic activity – nine times return on funds committed. 

Learn how the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund is helping diversify Calgary’s economic future. 

ABOUT OPPORTUNITY CALGARY INVESTMENT FUND  

Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (“OCIF”) was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of The City of Calgary in 2018 to support catalytic investments within the city to help diversify and transform the economy. The fund is administered by Calgary Economic Development and has a volunteer Board of Directors. It is vital tool to achieve the goals of the economic strategy and diversify Calgary’s economic future.

For more information, contact:   

Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund 
Megan Evans
Manager, Communications
Media line: 403-880-7040
Email: media@calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com

ABOUT TECHNATION

TECHNATION is a national industry association that represents leading technology companies in Canada. Through its Career Ready Program, TECHNATION connects students with meaningful work opportunities, helping to build a skilled and diverse workforce for the future.

ABOUT TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program, TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program supports businesses by financing their decision to hire a student for a work-term placement while providing access to an entire Work Integrated Learning (WIL) ecosystem. This in turn creates a rewarding opportunity for the student to apply their learning in real-world settings and puts them on a path to a bright career.

SOURCE Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund Limited

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HKAGE Showcases Gifted Students’ Learning Journeys at InnoCarnival 2026

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Promoting “Technology for Good” Through Innovation and Creativity 

HONG KONG, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) has been invited to participate in InnoCarnival 2026, organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission. Under the theme “Technology for Good, Innovation for All”, HKAGE will showcase the learning journeys of gifted students who have completed programmes on AI robotic arms, underwater archaeology, etc., demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to address societal needs.

Having proactively aligned its work with the education development strategies of the Education Bureau (EDB), HKAGE fully supports the EDB’s Blueprint for Digital Education in Primary and Secondary Schools, which seeks to advance the digital transformation of school education in Hong Kong. Building on its Talent Development Model, HKAGE systematically develops programmes, provides diversified learning experiences and engages in cross-sector collaborations to nurture gifted talents equipped with innovative capabilities, technological literacy, and a strong sense of social responsibility. At the exhibition this year, HKAGE will present how students applied knowledge gained through gifted education programmes and learning experiences in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, environmental science, underwater archaeology and sustainable development to design socially conscious solutions. These experiences reflect the students’ ability to serve society with knowledge and respond creatively to diverse challenges.

Among the highlights is the learning journey of students in the “Artificial Intelligence Course: Creative AI Robotic Arm for Inclusion”. After acquiring foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence, robotics and sensor applications, students designed, tested and refined intelligent robotic arm prototypes through real-time data analysis and algorithms. With the aim of improving the quality of life for the elderly and caregivers, students explored various application scenarios for intelligent robotic arms. Another showcase features the “Environmental Science Course: Bat Echoes – Voices of the Night”. Through acoustic monitoring, the exhibition demonstrates how students recorded bat voices and analysed related activity data and characteristics. The programme enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of local biodiversity and explore practical approaches to ecological conservation.

The HKAGE exhibition booth also features an interactive photo-taking device, allowing visitors to take photos with different gifted programme themes and share the joy of learning.

On the first day of the exhibition, a “Build Your Own Glider Parent-Child Workshop” is specially organised by HKAGE for the visitors. Under the guidance of instructors and assisted by HKAGE students, participants will learn the basic principles of aerodynamics, including lift, gravity, thrust and drag. They will also learn to design, assemble and decorate their own gliders by using lightweight and durable materials, experiencing the joy of science and engineering.

Mr WONG Chung Po, Acting Executive Director of HKAGE, said: “The Academy is committed to providing gifted students with diversified learning platforms and encouraging them to transform knowledge into innovative practices that generate positive social impact. Participation in this exhibition not only provides students with a valuable learning experience that helps consolidate the knowledge acquired in gifted programmes, but also enables the public to better understand how gifted education nurtures a new generation of creative and socially responsible talents to jointly advance the philosophy of ‘Technology for Good’.”

InnoCarnival 2026 – The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

Date:

24 Oct – 1 Nov

Venue:

The Hong Kong Science Park

Booth:

C08-09

Time:

10:00 – 17:00 (Mon to Fri)

10:00 – 18:00 (Sat & Sun)

 

About the HKAGE

Established in 2008 and subvented by the Education Bureau, the HKAGE offers gifted education services actively to local primary and secondary school students to unleash their potential. It also provides gifted education-related information and support for teachers, parents, and other relevant stakeholders.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/hkage-showcases-gifted-students-learning-journeys-at-innocarnival-2026-302918606.html

SOURCE Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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