Canada’s largest learn-to-code event is coming to MaRS

Canada’s largest learn-to-code event is coming to MaRS

On February 22, HTML500 is coming to MaRS to give 500 people the chance to learn coding skills from some of Canada’s top tech companies—for free.

HTML500 is a one-day crash course in basic coding languages, including HTML and CSS. Participants bring their own laptops and sit at group tables to try their hand at creating their own websites. One hundred mentors from various technology companies will be on hand in the MaRS Auditorium to provide tutorials and walk participants through challenges. There will also be a career fair on-site for job seekers.

The HTML500 was created by Lighthouse Labs, an eight-week coding boot camp, to promote digital literacy in Canada. Digital literacy skills are fast becoming essential for job seekers. Ontario’s information communications technology (ICT) sector alone employs about 250,000 people, or 47% of total ICT jobs across Canada. Learn-to-code programs are also on the rise. In Toronto, Ladies Learning Learning Code, Bitmaker Labs and HackerYou are just some of the places that offer coding workshops.

Open to participants of any age, HTML500 has hit cities across the country including Calgary and Vancouver. This is the first time the event is coming to Toronto. Over 3,000 people have registered for a spot this Sunday, ranging from ages 7-60!

HTML500 coding participants
Participants at HTML500 in Calgary. Photo credit: Lighthouse Labs Facebook

Who’s coming?

Some of the 50 companies that will be on hand at the event and/or career fair include:

See the full list on the HTML500 website.

Want to attend?

Register online. Selection is done by a lottery system. You can also view some of the favourite websites created by participants during the Vancouver, Calgary and London events.

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