New program trains Indigenous women to take over IT work in northern Manitoba

A new pilot project based in The Pas at the University College of The Northis helping Indigenous women get ready to take over jobs in information technology for the north.

The group of eight Indigenous women are part of the first group of students to take the Information Technology Readiness North (INTRN) program, which wasdesigned by andoffered at the northern institution in The Paswith the intent ofboosting the digital economy in northern Manitoba.

Project case manager for INTRNJenna Brown saidas the IT industry grows in the north, so should the presence of Indigenous women who historically been underrepresented in the Manitoba workforce.

"Our hope is that Indigenous women take over IT, and I think this program is going to help," said Brown.

According to UCN, only 2.8 per centof women at post-secondary institutions in Manitoba study computer or information science. The percentage of women employed in IT is even lower, and lower still for Indigenous women including Alyssa Provost, who is excited to be part of the new project.

"I would like to get a job in IT. It's a growing industry and I want to be a part of it," said Provost.

Information technologyincluding Internet connectivity is not always consistent in northern Manitoba.That makes almost everything harder to do, including learning in classrooms, conducting business or accessing medical care.

The gap in services became more obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more servicesmoved online.

Federal and provincial governments have promised to provide more resources to improve ITaccessibility.In the meantime, UCN hopes this group ofwomen will be part of changing times aheadwhich, more importantly, will see more Indigenous women taking part in the northern Manitoba workforce.

"Every space, professionally needs the perspectives and the ideas of Indigenous women, of Indigenous people not just to be representative but because we need their perspectives and their world views," added Brown.

Brown saidthe program is designedto make sure it was inclusive for Indigenous women at any age and stage in life.So far the women are between the ages of 21 and 51, some are mothers andsome are mature students who've been out of school for many years.

Officials at UCN hope to create more programs specifically for women programs that will not only support their communities and their families but alsothat will inspire them.

New program trains Indigenous women to take over IT work in northern Manitoba

3 years ago

Duration 1:57

The group of eight Indigenous women are part of the first group of students to take the Information Technology Readiness North (INTRN) program, which was designed by and offered at the northern institution in The Pas with the intent of boosting the digital economy in northern Manitoba.