UCalgary prepares for digital revolution with timely new lineup of Continuing Ed courses

With the approach of fall comes the inevitable need to schedule ourselves, filling our calendar with lessons, sports, activities — and courses. This fall, Continuing Education is featuring a lineup of courses to help individuals build their digital skill set.

Director of Continuing Education, Dr. Sheila LeBlanc, DBA says, “We’re working with all levels of government to provide programs that meet the community’s workforce development needs for skills in the digital space. For example, we are delivering the federally funded Digital Skills for Youth program for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, our fast-track business intelligence and analytics certificate that gives people the option to complete it in one semester — not to mention the other nine digital-skills focused certificates offered part-time. These options are critical in a market that is hungry to build a tech ecosystem.”

Living in a digital world

The billboard on Crowchild Trail last month said it all: “Can a university lead a digital revolution?” Continuing Education is positioned to be at the forefront of providing learning opportunities in this area.

In the article related to the billboard, Dr. Bill Rosehart, dean of the Schulich School of Engineering, says, “Technology is changing the world at an unprecedented rate. We've already seen the mass adoption of mobile computing devices, with computational strength we never would have imagined a few years ago. Add to that the Internet of Things, along with intelligent systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analysis, and I would say every sector of our society is in a technological revolution right now."

Those words may sound ominous to some, but to others it’s a battle cry to get on board the digital train that’s moving lightning fast.

Continuing Education programming

To help you find the programs that can boost your career in the tech space, here is a taste of Continuing Education courses starting this fall.

• Business Analysis – Students are prepared to actively support the delivery of successful IT projects. 
• Business Intelligence and Analytics (fast track option) – Complete the certificate in eight weeks. Classes run Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UCalgary Downtown Campus.
• Database Administration – Using Microsoft SQL Server 2012, you will learn how to design, develop, administer and troubleshoot Microsoft SQL databases and servers.
• Front-End Web Development – Learn to code and implement designs using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
• IT Fundamentals – Topics include computer programming, data modelling, and relational databases fundamentals.

Take courses online

Most of these course can be taken online, making it convenient for people with full calendars. Lina Zhao, a recent graduate with a certificate in Business Intelligence and Analysis, was skeptical at first about taking a certificate completely online but soon discovered she loved the convenience. And the instructors make it very comfortable to learn online. “They are very engaging and care about us. They respond quickly to my questions and participate on the class discussion boards,” she says.

Program for recent grads  

And if you graduated in the last two years and are unemployed or underemployed, you may be eligible for the Digital Skills For Youth (DS4Y) program. A federal Youth Employment program, DS4Y University of Calgary is the provider of this program for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

To learn more about Continuing Education programs that are meeting the needs of our evolving workplace, visit the website or call 403-220-2866 and speak with a student adviser.