In partnership with techNL under its Find Your Future in Tech project, ACENET is offering a Certificate in Advanced Computing, designed to provide participants with job-ready skills in advanced computing.

Our program includes introductory and intermediate level modules designed to enable positions with industry in sectors that require advanced computing technology talent. 

By completing the program, you will:

• Have a breadth of advanced computing knowledge and skills;
• Be competent with technical project workflows and documentation;
• Understand the fundamentals of cybersecurity and designing for safety;
• Have confidence in your technical abilities and ability to learn and grow those skills; 
• Have honed your problem solving / critical thinking skills; and
• Have proven your ability to learn new technical tools quickly.

Advanced Computing, or supercomputing, combines fast, large, and powerful computers, storage, and networks with specialized software and methods to perform complex, large-scale simulations, data analysis, modelling, and visualizations. 

It encompasses technologies like High Performance Computing (HPC), artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), big data,  data analytics, and cloud computing. Compared to an average personal computer which may have 8 cores of computing power and a terabyte of storage, advanced computing systems provide many thousands of cores, petabytes of storage, and advanced AI-capable Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), all tied together with a fast specialized network.

Work that would take weeks or months, or may not even be possible using traditional computing methods can be reduced to hours and days. 

Supercomputing is being used to develop new aerospace materials, engineer structures, develop green tech alternatives, map environmental systems, and create new ways of fighting infectious diseases. Areas as wide-ranging as nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, robotics, oceantech, agritech, augmented reality and health research all increasingly rely on advanced computing - Industry 4.0 smart technologies.

The program is being offered online, with a combination of in-class and self-study introductory and intermediate level modules. There are approximately 100 hours of classroom time.  Topics include:

• Programming in Python
• Data analytics and visualization
• Advanced computing techniques 
  • High performance computing (HPC)
  • Parallel computing
  • Cloud computing
• Version control
• Machine Learning/Artificial intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Workflows and project tools in technology

You will also be undertaking a capstone project designed to use the skills you’ve learned in a real-world scenario.

If you are a resident of Newfoundland & Labrador, have some knowledge, experience and comfort with computers, and want to develop advanced computing skills to either expand your career prospects or bring new capabilities to your existing position, this program may be for you. 

To see the greatest benefit, you need to be both motivated, and have the capacity and time to augment this program with guided, self-directed learning.

Previous programming experience, while beneficial, is not required. 

For overall eligibility criteria, please see Find Your Future in Tech.

There are no fees for ACENET's Certificate in Advanced Computing under the Find Your Future in Tech project.

We expect to begin accepting applications in September 2023, with classes to begin in March, 2024. The program is part-time and will take approximately five months to complete including the capstone project.

There is a maximum capacity of 40 people for the program.  

If you have any questions, please contact certification@ace-net.ca 

If you would like to receive more information as it becomes available, including registration information, please complete this form. 

If you would like to receive ACENET’s regular newsletter, which includes other opportunities for skills development, sign up here.

In conjunction with its education program, techNL has launched a Newfoundland & Labrador campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the breadth of opportunity for careers in technology in the province. Funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, Find Your Future in Tech will provide funded seats across numerous tech programs and certifications hosted by 10 partner organizations to offer training to residents and tech sector employers across the province. 

ACENET is one of techNL's partners in this program. You can learn more and view program offerings from the other partners at FindYourFutureNL.ca