The #HTML500
What is the #HTML500?
The HTML500 was created by Lighthouse Labs in order to inspire more people to learn how to code. It will serve to teach 500 people HTML and CSS in one day, for free, while making a statement to Vancouverites, Canadians and the world that it is easy enough to learn basic coding.
This event will be the largest open access education event in the history of Vancouver and is expected to put a spotlight on the need for stronger coding education. Additionally the event serves to create awareness among non-coders that there are many opportunities in Vancouver’s blossoming tech industry and many developer jobs going unfilled.
What’s going to happen at the #HTML500?
You must register to attend the event and follow the registration instructions received by email. On event day attendees will then check-in on site between 9:45AM-10:30AM and will be seated at one of 50 sponsored tables with 9 other attendees. Each table will be hosted by a sponsoring company’s developers who will help attendees as they follow instructions on creating their landing page.
Lighthouse Labs professor Khurram Virani, will lead a morning lecture followed by 3 hours of ‘lab time’ where attendees will follow step by step instructions they have been provided and work on their pages. Mr. Virani will set up for a second lecture in the afternoon talking about CSS and stylizing at which point attendees will then have 1.5 hours more to finish up their landing pages.
Lunch will be provided as will coffee and refreshments throughout the day to all participants. Attendees will also go home with a package that will help them continue learning and strengthening their coding skills. All in all, an awesome day of learning to code!
Vancouver Tech Scene
World-Leading Tech Hub
Vancouver was recently voted as having the #7 tech hub in the world, yet it still remains relatively unknown. The tech and startup community has flourished, producing internationally renowned companies while investing heavily in innovation and creativity. Vancouver is ready to emerge as a Canadian and global force in technology and is now in need of the talent and personnel to help it reach its potential.
Talented Developers in Demand
The tech industry is in dire need of more developers. A brief browsing of any job board will show that while Canada might be in a job crisis, the tech industry has more jobs to offer than people to fill them. Programs like Lighthouse Labs and BCIT are doing their best to produce more developers but they are unable to produce enough students for the demand.
In British Columbia, tech is growing faster than the region’s traditional forestry, mining and energy industries, and now employs more people—more than 80,000 at 8,900 companies, including at least 350 active startups.
The biggest challenge for the tech industry? There is not enough talent!
The BC technology industry provides well-paying jobs, with wages significantly exceeding the province’s average industrial wage. Average wages in the tech sector are said to be 53% higher than the average for the economy as a whole.
This community is filled with innovators, creators, and developers and through initiatives like the #HTML500, will continue to help itself grow and inspire the masses along the way.
By the time students are done this course not only will they be superstars in Ruby on Rails, they will be ready to hit the ground running in their new career and make their name known in the Vancouver tech scene.
- Marc Andreessen, founder of Netscape