GE and Actua host digital technology event for "Generation Now"

VANCOUVER, Jan. 17, 2017 /CNW/ - GE (NYSE:GE) – To help business leaders adapt to the rapid pace of change caused by digital innovation and disruption, GE Canada and Actua launched "Future of Work - Digital Innovation for Gen Now," a half-day session to help business leaders learn and experience digital advances in the marketplace. The sessions provide a digital and disruption immersion through discussion and a workshop focused on coding and maker-tools.

"We're focused on Generation Now – those in the workforce now who weren't born with an ipad in their hands and who might feel like the digital revolution is posing a significant challenge," explains Elyse Allan, President and CEO of GE Canada. "The digital transformation we are experiencing on a global level is significant, and for businesses to succeed, we all need to participate regardless of our generation."  

GE and Actua will deliver workshops across Canada in major centres including Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. It follows the path of Actua's Maker Mobile tour, an innovation tour bringing experiences to youth in approximately 100 cities and towns across Canada.

"Actua's Maker Mobile is a moving maker space full of exciting technology like 3D printers, a laser cutter, programmable circuit boards and more," explains Jennifer Flanagan, President and CEO of Actua. "Though our programing is designed for youth, these special sessions are modified to inspire adults to experiment in the digital space."

Today, Vancouver business leaders heard from a panel of experts including Bill Tam of BC Tech Hub and James Rout of BCIT on how to build skills and encourage innovation in the workplace. Following the panel, participants were guided through a coding and maker-tool workshop where they could experience the technology they can use to solve everyday challenges. Elyse Allan also spoke about the changing work environment.

"We are experiencing an unprecedented time of change at an unprecedented speed," explains Allan. "To be successful we must continually update our skills, adopt new ways of doing things, not be afraid to take risk, and work collaboratively across multiple generations bringing together both experience and technology."

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

About Actua

Actua is Canada's leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network representing 35 university and college based members. Over 3 million young Canadians have been inspired through their participation in Actua's hands on educational workshops, camps and community outreach initiatives. Each year, Actua's growing network of member organizations reach over 250,000 young Canadians in over 500 communities nationwide. At the national level Actua focuses on the engagement of underrepresented audiences through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, at-risk youth and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Actua's major funders include: Google Canada, Suncor Energy Foundation, GE Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. For more information about Actua, visit actua.ca

About Innovation 150

Innovation150 is a nationwide program from five leading science organizations including Actua, Perimeter Institute, The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo, The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC), and The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation that celebrates Canada's innovative past and sparks the ideas and ingenuity that will propel our future. The interactive, yearlong program offers awe-inspiring experiences in science, technology, and innovation across the country for Canada's 150th anniversary. A Canada 150 Signature Initiative: In 2017, Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary of Confederation. Innovation150 was selected by the Department of Canadian Heritage as one of several Canada 150 Signature Initiatives, high-impact national projects that build a sense of pride and attachment to Canada.

SOURCE GE Canada

Karissa Boley, GE Canada, [email protected], 403-461-7920