A Development Bootcamp Success Story
Imagine a world where anyone can learn how to code, regardless of their background, location, or income. A world where coding is not only a skill but also a passion, a community, and a career. A world where coding can unlock new opportunities and transform lives.
That's the vision behind DevCamp, a pilot boot camp program that was launched in April 2022 by Smart Tech Academy, the education wing of Smart Tech Holdings. The program's objective is to break down barriers to entry in the coding industry by providing a high-quality introductory programming course that is accessible to people from diverse backgrounds.
Fortune Chauke, design strategist at ThinkFortune Co was brought on board to facilitate and enhance the educational experience for students in the DevCamp program. Mr Chauke's mission was to help improve the education experience for students in the program. Additionally, he served as a lecturer, providing lectures on introductory programming and Java.
The impact of the DevCamp project has been significant. Over 80 students have enrolled & completed the program, with a retention rate of over 86%. The positive feedback we have received from both students and stakeholders on the quality of the curriculum, instructors, and mentor support services has been overwhelming.
The Mission
The program aimed to equip students with foundational skills in programming languages such as Java and SQL. The program also aimed to foster a sense of community among students and mentors by creating an online platform where they could interact and collaborate.
The Compelling Event
The compelling event that spurred the creation of DevCamp was the realization that many potential computer programmers are excluded from this field due to various obstacles such as high entry requirements, expensive education options, the requirement for advanced degrees, the difficulty of getting a foot in the door or insufficient guidance and mentorship. This reality makes it difficult for aspiring programmers to pursue a career in technology.
According to a recent survey by McKinsey & Company, 87% of companies worldwide are aware that they either already have a skills gap or will have one within a few years. The skills gap refers to the bridge between the skills that companies need from their employees and those that are available to workers.
It’s fueled by a combination of factors including advances in automation, AI and other technologies, along with candidates lacking the skills needed to interact with these new tech innovations
Secondly, the growing demand for skilled coders in South Africa and globally. According to Indeed, there were over 3,000 job openings for software developers in South Africa as of December 2022.
However, there was also a significant gap between supply and demand due to various factors.
The team behind DevCamp saw this problem and decided to do something about it.
They believed that by providing a more accessible and affordable path into the technology field, they could help increase diversity and bring more talented people into the industry.
The Gap
The gap that DevCamp addressed was the lack of affordable and accessible coding education for people from underrepresented groups such as women, youth, rural dwellers, and low-income earners.
According to Statistics South Africa, only 10% of households had access to the internet at home in 2021. Moreover, only 35% of women participated in STEM fields compared to 65% of men These statistics show that there was a need for an inclusive and innovative approach to coding education that would reach out to people who otherwise would not have access to it.
The DevCamp project was developed with a deep understanding of the challenges that people face when trying to break into the technology field.
By providing a combination of resources, education, and support, smart tech academy and its partners have created a programme that is both accessible and effective.
The DEVcamp program was made possible through the alignment of strategic partnerships with UNISA, Microsoft, Liquid Communication, and the Koketso Rakudo Foundation.
These partnerships allowed the program to cover students' tuition, lab, and examination fees, which was critical in overcoming natural and artificial barriers to entry that exist in the market for coding education and certification, such as high costs, network effects, patents, predatory pricing, and advertising.
The team designed a comprehensive curriculum that covered the basics of programming, with a focus on Java and database management.
Lecturers Fortune and Khusto provided engaging lectures on the topics, and students were able to access offline learning materials and interactive learning experiences to reinforce their knowledge.
The DevCamp project also offered round-the-clock student support to help learners overcome any obstacles they faced during the programme. This support was provided by community developer Koketso Rakudo and technical support staff Godfrey and Koki.
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Within five minutes of self-regulated discussions, all students were engaged in applying the solutions they had agreed upon.
The discussions helped them to clarify their understanding of the problem and to negotiate different perspectives.
Fortune praised the students for their collaborative skills and encouraged them to reflect on their learning process.
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Students discussing a code problem: how to debug a program that does not run as expected.
Students learn some valuable techniques and tools to help them identify and fix errors in our code.
The Gamble
The DEVcamp project was a bold move for Smart Tech Holdings, as it was a pilot program aimed at providing an accessible introduction to coding education. There was a risk involved in investing resources and time into an untested model of online learning that relied on strategic partnerships, excellent curriculum, and top-notch instructors and support with no guarantee of success.
The program faced several challenges such as ensuring quality control, maintaining student engagement, providing adequate infrastructure, and measuring outcomes. However, the program also had several opportunities such as leveraging existing resources and creating a social impact.
After the program was launched, the rollout phase began. This phase was focused on ensuring that students received the best possible learning experience.
UNISA and Smart Tech Academy worked together to provide students with access to a range of resources and support services. The program coordinators, project managers, and lecturers worked around the clock to ensure that students received the best possible support.
During the rollout phase, the program faced several challenges. One of the biggest challenges was the fact that the program was being offered both online and offline.
While this allowed for more flexibility in terms of student access to the program according to their preferences and circumstances, this meant that the team had to ensure that the learning experience was consistent for all students, whether they were attending classes in person or online.
This approach proved to be beneficial in coping with South Africa's unpredictable situation, as it allowed the program to continue despite sudden lockdowns and education-related protests.
Another challenge was ensuring that all students had access to the necessary resources, including textbooks, software, and hardware. The team worked with the partners to ensure that all students had access to the necessary resources. This involved providing students with hardware, internet access, and access to the software.
Despite these challenges, the program coordinators were able to successfully roll out the program. Students were provided with a high-quality learning experience that was tailored to their needs. They had access to a range of resources and support services, including round-the-clock student support, which ensured that they were able to receive assistance whenever they needed it.
From intro to job ready, master the skills and tools that employers are looking for, Whether you want to become a web developer, a data analyst, or a digital marketer.The camp will guide you through the fundamentals. You will also learn how to build a portfolio, ace an interview, and negotiate a salary.
Fortune smiles proudly as he dances with his students who have achieved excellent results in their assessments. He congratulates them for their hard work and dedication, and encourages them to keep up the good performance. Fortune is a passionate teacher who always strives to inspire and motivate his learners.
The Gain
The gain that DEVcamp achieved was remarkable. The program enrolled over 60 students from diverse backgrounds, with a retention rate of over 86%. The program received positive feedback from both students and stakeholders on the quality of its curriculum, instructors, and mentor support services.
- Obtain Microsoft Certification
- Obtaining certificates of completion from Smart Tech Academy
- Securing internships or job placements at Smart Tech Holdings and other tech companies
- Developing portfolios of projects that showcase their skills and creativity
- Joining online communities of coders that offer networking and learning opportunities
- Enhancing their confidence and self-esteem
Testimonials
I learned so much from DEVcamp. It was challenging but rewarding. I never thought I could code before, but now I can create websites and apps. I also met amazing people who inspired me and supported me. I am grateful for this opportunity.
Omphile Molotsi
Student
DEVcamp changed my life. It gave me a chance to pursue my passion for coding. It also helped me find a job at KRF as a dev intern. I am excited to continue learning and growing in this industry.
Thapelo
Student
DEVcamp was a great experience. It taught me not only how to code but also how to think logically and creatively. It also exposed me to different aspects of the tech industry such as web development, data science, and artificial intelligence. I am looking forward to applying what I learned in my future projects.
Oratile Molotsi
Student
Conclusion
Fortune's collaboration with Smart Tech Academy on the DevCamp project is a shining example of the power of design and business development working together for social impact. By focusing on skills development, they were able to empower underrepresented communities and break down the barriers to entry into the tech industry.
In conclusion, the DevCamp project has been a resounding success, and we are proud to have played a part in empowering underrepresented communities through technology education.
Our focus on training & development has allowed us to break down the barriers to entry into the tech industry and provide a comprehensive program that covers tuition, lab, and examination fees. We look forward to continuing our work in this area and empowering more individuals to pursue their dreams of a technology role
If you are looking to break down the barriers to entry in your industry or train your workforce, Thinkfortune co. can help. The company has a team of experienced strategists, designers, and trainers who can help you to achieve your goals. Whether you are looking to launch a new program or improve an existing one, Thinkfortune co. can provide you with the support you need to succeed. Contact them today to learn more about their services and how they can help you to achieve your goals