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A San Diego nonprofit is training web developers free in an effort to keep technology jobs in the U.S. Credit: SoftStack Factory
By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service
October 4, 2015 (San Diego) -- A quick search for web developer jobs in California turns up 10,000 positions, open, right now. But many young people don't have the skills to write code, and can't afford college or $10,000 for a coding boot camp. Consequently, many companies are sending the jobs overseas.
But a unique non-profit called SoftStack Factory is trying to reverse those trends. Last week, they started their first free 12-week coding boot camp in San Diego.
SoftStack Factory CEO Harold Gottschalk says the program harnesses the talents of low-income students and gives companies trained local workers, helping keep jobs on American soil.
"It's a great opportunity, they're gonna get really exposed to some really cool technology, they'll learn how to build hybrid mobile apps," says Gottschalk. "And then our intention is to try to find companies that are willing to take them on."
SoftStack is looking for businesses to sponsor the boot camps and in return the students will produce an app for the company.
Gottschalk would like to train up to 200 students a year and offer the course in multiple locations.
"Eventually, we'd like to see if we can replicate that model outside of San Diego in other places in California or other places around the country," he says.
The company is currently accepting applications for the next boot camp in January. You don't have to know anything about coding - but you need to be a high school graduate. Women are encouraged to apply.
Finalists will take part in a two day interview-and-testing process. To learn more go to softstackfactory.com.
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