Computers for Schools is celebrating its 20th Anniversary!

TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Computers for Schools Program (CFS) has thrived under the leadership of the Government of Canada over the last 20 years.  In a celebration held at TELUS House in Toronto, industry partners, program donors, volunteers and youth interns marked the 20^th anniversary of the Computers for Schools Ontario.

Renewed Computer Technology (RCT), which operates CFS in Ontario, announced that it has delivered over 287,000 renewed computers to enhance skill development and digital literacy across the province.

"Our Government is proud to support a successful program that brings computer literacy skills into Canadian classrooms and schools," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry. "Through Computers for Schools, Canadian youth are also gaining valuable work experience and are positioned for success in tomorrow's digital economy."

As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Computers for Schools - Technical Work Experience Program provides young individuals with invaluable paid, hands-on work experience that benefits them in this digital and knowledge-based economy.  RCT's Executive Director, Shauna L. McCaffrey stated that "These talented youth are helping us to increase digital literacy by extending the life of Federal Government's surplus technology assets and providing it to learners in schools, libraries and NFP learning organizations."

The Government of Canada's Computers for Schools Program has delivered more than 1,250,000 computers from coast to coast.  CFS has trained and employed over 5,885 youth across Canada in its 40 centres equipping them with the tools that they need to secure long term, meaningful employment.

Since inception in 1993, over 204 federal departments, agencies and crown corporations have donated to the program. This is an important aspect of the Federal Government's Sustainable Development Strategy.

The CFS program provides triple bottom line results - RENEWING TECHNOLOGY to increase Digital Literacy, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT to empower our future workers and ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP through the renewal of technology.

About Computers for Schools:  Computers for Schools, co-founded in 1993 by Industry Canada and the TelecomPioneers, is a national, federal government-led initiative that operates in cooperation with provinces and territories, the private and volunteer sectors. CFS collects, repairs and refurbishes donated surplus computers from government and private sector sources and distributes them to schools, public libraries and not-for-profit learning organizations throughout Canada.

CFS also offers students and recent graduates of information technology programs, professional experience in refurbishing computers through the Technical Work Experience Program (TWEP), an initiative funded by the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

About Renewed Computer Technology (RCT):
RCT is a social enterprise that creates innovative and sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits through renewed technology.  RCT provides equitable technology access to facilitate skills development by:  delivering technology to learners; workplace skills to youth/volunteers; and partnership opportunities to donors, funders and community organizations.  RCTO.ca

SOURCE: Renewed Computer Technology

Shauna L. McCaffrey, MBA
Executive Director, RCT
[email protected]