CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) announced a program to impel young people toward high-tech careers and other professions that require training and education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). CGI STEM Camps in six U.S. cities this year will recruit elementary, middle and high-school students for programs that will introduce basic IT concepts and skills in sessions led by local mentors and CGI professionals. The program, say CGI leaders, addresses a critical industry challenge – a lack of STEM professionals, particularly those from diverse communities, who are needed to help build an IT workforce for the digital age.
“The U.S. continues to experience a disparity between the number of available STEM jobs and the number of students and professionals educated and trained to pursue STEM careers,” said Dave Henderson, CGI’s President of U.S. operations. “Closing this gap is a challenge that must be addressed nationwide. With CGI STEM Camps, we’re hoping to inspire local students with experiences that lead to a life-long curiosity and drive to learn for a bright future in the digital workforce.”
The camps are also a critical part of the company’s global proximity and onshoring service model, which commits to locating state-of-the-art IT service centers in non-metropolitan areas in the U.S., developing local workforces to train workers for 21st century careers, and building a national pool of IT and STEM talent.
Developed in partnership with local organizations, CGI STEM Camps are funded and supported by CGI’s Dream Connectors global initiative, which engages CGI professionals and resources for programs with community impact around the world. During the day-long camps, students will be introduced to software coding, computer hardware and other important IT skills. In 2017, CGI will hold STEM Camps in Lafayette, La.; Belton, Texas; Durham, N.C.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Lebanon, Va. and Fairfax, Va.
“The IT industry is among many business sectors, academic institutions, associations and communities working to close the STEM gap in the United States,” said Henderson. “CGI is committed to IT workforce development in the United States and is working to increase the number of young people who have access to the education and training resources necessary to enter in-demand STEM professions.”
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as 150 IP-based services and solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog exceeding C$20 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com.
For more information:
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Alison Hallett
Vice-President, U.S. Communications, CGI
alison.hallett@cgi.com
703-267-5915
