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UI, Kirkwood Create Web Development Boot Camps

By October 21, 2013January 8th, 2019No Comments

Web Development Boot Camp

Based on employer feedback and the recommendations from the region’s Strategic Skills Alignment study, Kirkwood Community College and the University of Iowa have teamed up to offer a series of niche Web Development and Information Technology Workshops. The initiative will start with weekend programming workshops in Python Programming and Introduction to Ruby.

The workshops are for employed workers, career changers, Veterans and current University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College students. Enrollees should have some prior programming experience.

“Creative Corridor Information Technology and Computer Simulation and Modeling employers say the current tightening of the labor market is making it challenging to recruit and hire computer programmers, web developers and software engineers with some of the specific programming and web development skills needed to support their growth and product development,” said Kim Johnson, vice president of Kirkwood’s Continuing Education and Training Services division. “Having employees and applicants that have real-world knowledge of open source programming is a competitive edge. Adding additional certificates and areas of expertise to the resume is a plus in any job market.”

The Iowa Centers for Enterprise fosters economic development within the state and beyond, connecting citizens with University of Iowa resources and opening doors to innovation, expertise and entrepreneurship. Kirkwood’s Continuing Education and Training Services division works to support workforce skill development and pipeline development through partnering in the region to bring just-in-time, in-demand short-term accelerated and highly focused technical skill programs to the market.

The Iowa Centers for Enterprise, through funds appropriated by the Iowa Legislature, is able to offer tuition assistance for these programs. These mini-camps would traditionally cost $795, however, with the support of the Centers for Enterprise, individuals can enroll for $200. Current University of Iowa and Kirkwood students can apply for tuition assistance.

Plans are to expand these offerings throughout Iowa and as well as a more intensive nine week web development boot camp, to support web programming careers, that will be launched in January of 2014.

“Employers throughout the Corridor are looking for people who are passionate about continuous learning,” said Mark Nolte, president of the Iowa Centers for Enterprise. “These workshops offer an opportunity to quickly gain proficiency in new skill sets to become more valuable in the market.”

“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the Iowa Centers for Enterprise team to create these new educational programs and raise awareness of educational and career opportunities among the available working student and parent populations in the Corridor,” Johnson said. “Information technology is an industry projected to grow at an annual rate of 3 percent in the region. Demand definitely isn’t going down for software and information technology employment.”

To enroll call 319-398-1022 or 1-800-332-8833, or go to www.kirkwood.edu/ce. For additional information contact Jennifer Ott, JPEC training and engagement liaison, University of Iowa, 319.353.2791 or www.iowajpec.com.