The Canadian government and software industry leaders hope a new educational computer game will encourage more students in Canada to choose a career in software. The game, called Missing Link, has players match wits with an artificial intelligence “infobot,” as they try to solve the mystery of a missing search engine on the Internet.
The project is a partnership between Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and the Software Human Resource Council (SHRC), which represents Canada’s software industry. According to SHRC, Missing Link players gain awareness of software career opportunities during the entertaining and challenging game experience.
“In Missing Link, students embark on a scientific and technical mission that has dangers and surprises along the way,” says SHRC vice-president Robyn Gordon in a prepared statement. “The game provides answers to software career questions in a very stimulating format.”
HRDC officials say the Canadian software industry will face a serious shortage of qualified employees by next year. To address this problem, HRDC solicited SHRC’s help in developing an educational tool that would get students thinking about a career in the software industry.
“Without more Canadian students entering software studies and careers, Canadian companies will see their opportunities for growth stunted and they will be forced to pursue expensive employee recruitment efforts in other countries,” says SHRC president Paul Swinwood.
The Missing Link CD-ROM will be distributed to schools across Canada. For more information, visit SHRC’s Web site at www.shrc.ca.