Interview with Matt Gray, co-founder of Bitmaker Labs, a Toronto-based coding academy forced to shut down by the Ontario government just a few days ago:
@PirateOrg: About a year ago, Bitmaker Labs was
founded in Toronto as a bootcamp focused on empowering individuals to learn
full-stack web development. Canada is lagging behind the US in terms of
training skilled web developers, and Bitmaker Labs intended to close this gap
by offering a world-class program in Ontario’s economic hub. Two weeks ago, a
provincial government investigation began. What happened?
M.G.: They are investigating us for being an unregistered private
career college.
@PirateOrg: How does this affect students currently
enrolled in the program?
M.G.: We've had to cease operations. If we continue to operate we
could be given a cease and desist which would inhibit our ability to register
as a private career college. We could be severely penalized as directors and
face up to a year in prison.
@PirateOrg: Bitmaker Labs was recently praised
in Canada’s leading newspaper for its innovative business model [here and here]. Does the investigation jeopardize Bitmaker
Labs’ future development?
M.G.: We're working cooperatively with the MTCU to expedite the
registration process. However, this could take six months to a year. The
regulations also force us to have our curriculum approved, which makes it
difficult to iterate on the material and introduce bleeding edge concepts.
Significant changes to the curriculum and program (to keep it cutting edge)
have to be approved by the Ministry.
@PirateOrg: Where does the Ministry of Training,
Colleges and Universities currently stand?
M.G.: They are in the midst of their investigation. We shut down
preemptively to avoid the possibility of a cease and desist, which would
inhibit our ability to teach students again.
@PirateOrg: How do you think the issue can be
resolved for the company to be able to resume its activities within a
reasonable amount of time?
M.G.: We are working with the Ministry to expedite the approval
process. With support from students, mentors, companies and instructors we are
hoping we can get back to teaching as soon as possible.
@PirateOrg: Which steps could the Canadian
government take in the future to catch up with the US in terms of preparing its
economy to innovate more effectively in the digital age?
M.G.: There are regulations that make it incredibly difficult for
startups to make a dent in education. The fees are burdensome and the approval
process is detrimental to students. The less red tape the better.
For updated information, follow us on Twitter (@PirateOrg + @Bitmakerlabs). To support Bitmakers Lab in their project to develop coding skills for the Canadian digital economy, re-tweet this!
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