ADVERTISING FEATURE
and information security. Another challenge is keeping graduates current with the latest knowledge through continued learning, such as short courses, bootcamps and updating credentials. “You can’t just assume that once you’ve graduated, what you have will be the only thing you rely on for the rest of your career,” says Wood. She emphasizes how SAIT’s innovative approach to ensuring its program Collaborative learning at SAIT’s School for Advanced Digital Technology outcomes meet the needs is empowering future tech leaders. of today’s workforce — which includes students working directly with industry — helps meet the needs of Calgary’s economic diversification. As different businesses consider Calgary as a place to expand or set up shop, “we make sure we are tied into what competencies are required by companies, whether they are a startup or a large corporation,” says Wood. “There are so many different levels of talent needed throughout SAIT’s innovative approach helps students and graduates acquire the breadth of the types of industries and maintain the technology tools they need for success. and corporations we work with. We’re building on the foundations of programs on a yearly basis, or setting Preparing post-secondary students for individuals who have previous work Calgary’s ever-evolving economy means up new programs every two years. experience or education as well as “A program that is a couple of years embracing innovation and challenging helping new students coming out of old runs the risk of becoming outdated traditional boundaries. That’s just what Grade 12.” at a time when technology is advancing Dr. Raynie Wood, Dean of School for SAIT’s work-integrated learning or accelerating at a pace we’ve never Advanced Digital Technology (SADT), opportunities help students and seen before,” Wood says. “Innovation and the SAIT team do. businesses coming to Calgary share for us means challenging the status For the institution to be innovative, experiences, working collaboratively to quo and always looking to be the best, Wood says it’s about having a solve challenges. It’s a win/win, ensuring but also recognizing there are going to heightened level of awareness around students are prepared for career be the foundations of technology and inflection points on the technology success and industry has the talent media. So how do we make sure our landscape — being mindful of what’s they need. graduates have the problem solving, happening and changing. “Organizations don’t want to move critical thinking and power skills to “More importantly,” she adds, “it’s the somewhere they don’t have access to adaptation and acceleration of updating continue to adapt and grow?” talent so we take our responsibility really To address this need for new a program to ensure we meet the needs seriously, making sure the workforce is innovative options tailored for today’s for graduate preparation and direct here,” affirms Wood. “Give someone the workforce, SADT introduced four new transition to working.” skills and opportunities to continually programs in 2023 — two focusing on One of the traditional boundaries upgrade their knowledge, and they will information technology as well as one higher education has had to overcome carry that with them forever.” on data analytics, and another on cyber is the established method of updating
EMPOWERING TOMORROW'S TECH TALENT
Learn more at sait.ca/digital.
