TechWomen

The TechWomen program offers introductory web development and web design skills, technical language skills to work in the digital industry, job readiness and soft skills training, internships and volunteer opportunities in the tech sector, and networking opportunities with women in tech. Offering exciting and challenging women-centered learning experiences, TechWomen prepares newcomer women for a fulfilling career in BC’s tech sector, or to continue education.

Developed by ISSofBC and funded by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, TechWomen offers female-identifying immigrants and newcomers with digital skills and job readiness training to launch a career in web development and design.

Program activities include action planning to identify career goals, 8 weeks of language training to improve tech-centered vocabulary and best practices for industry communication, 5-10 weeks of part-time classes in coding, design and web development, and an 8-week practicum component to put new tech skills into practice.

Admissions

To register in the required courses, students must be current, accepted participants of the TechWomen program (as determined by ISSofBC). No previous experience in Communication Design, Web Design, or Design Software is required, but basic computer skills are recommended. For online courses, access to Adobe Creative Cloud may be recommended or required.

Learning Outcomes + Opportunities

• Introductory web development and web design
• Technical language skills to work in the digital industry
• Job readiness and soft skills training
• Connections to job shadow and tech volunteer opportunities
• Networking with women in tech and connections to mentors

Careers

TechWomen participants can apply their education to a variety of careers and enterprises. Depending on the level of work they achieve and previous education and experience, they can pursue a range of opportunities, including:

Further Education

Students can use courses toward the completion of the following programs:

Visual Communication Design Certificate
3D Design Certificate
UX/UI Design Associate Certificate
Cross Disciplinary Certificate

Students can use work from their courses in an admissions portfolio for the following programs:

Interaction Design Certificate
Communication Design Essentials Certificate
Bachelor of Design, Communication Design
Bachelor of Design, Interaction Design

Partners

This program has been supported with a grant from the Canadian Women’s Foundation and its partners, as well as contributions from Startland, CodeCore, Lighthouse Labs, BrainStation, and Emily Carr University.

TechWomen in the News

Emily Carr: News Release

New Westminster Innovation Week: Women in STEAM

Business in Vancouver: TechWomen initiative taps under-represented talent pool

Richmond News: TechWomen initiative taps under-represented talent pool

The Source: Women newcomers get job-ready skills to enter BC’s high-tech industry

Alliance for Arts: New Emily Carr University program trains immigrant and refugee women in tech

Georgia Straight: Vancouver’s Lighthouse Labs helps female refugees and immigrants find careers as coders