Digitization

The Digitization project is part of an innovative pilot project on literacy being funded by HRDC (through the National Literacy Secretariat) and Industry Canada, and being implemented jointly by RSYE and the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. Twelve youth will each spend about nine months in the program. During that time, they will learn the basics of digitization and Web page technology, get real work experience (through two work placements - one in the public sector, one in the private sector), and have a chance to upgrade their education and improve their literacy skills.

The idea behind the program is to start where the youth are at, make the learning relevant to them, and make it fun. Digitization was chosen as the focus for this program because it is a growing field, in significant demand as more and more organisations want to put material on the Internet. It also allows the youth the chance to get comfortable with computers and, at the same time, provides them with the chance to strengthen their literacy skills.

This project is very exciting because it represents a potential model for a new approach that could be used across Canada for youth who are having problems with literacy, and because it is one of the only approaches that is designed to be readily accessible to street-involved youth.

This initiative would not have been possible without committed partners who shared our enthusiasm over the possibilities offered by this project. RSYE thanks the funders - NLS and Industry Canada - our private sector partners Northern Micro and Alphacom, and the Ottawa Carleton District School Board.

RSYE also thanks the dedicated individuals who have worked to make Digitization an important aspect of RSYE's continuing commitment to street involved and at-risk youth.   These include: