Responding to local industry and workforce needs, Georgia Tech-Savannah announced it will be launching a coding boot camp in Savannah for the first time. The 24-week program, which will begin in January 2017, will give participants the skills they need to create front and back-end web applications, a highly sought-after skillset.
 
“Savannah employers are looking for programmers -- people who can build websites, develop software and apps -- and this class provides a way to gain these desirable skills at the highest level in only six months. It is the language of the future,” said Brynn Grant, chief operating officer, Savannah Economic Development Authority. “Students who graduate will have the skills to get hired and have the kind of career that can change lives.”
 
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web development ranks among the world’s fastest-growing professions, with jobs projected to increase at a 20 percent annual pace through 2022. The opportunities for skilled developers have long passed the labor supply: Of more than 150,000 new openings posted each year, some 50,000 go unfilled. The median salary for professional web developers is $63,000, with some earning as much as $110,000 a year.
 
“There are endless opportunities,” said Diane Lee, director of Georgia Tech-Savannah. “And while web development is a profession that can be tough and time consuming, students will find Georgia Tech Coding Boot Camp to be flexible and enjoyable.”
 
The curriculum covers everything from the basics of coding, algorithms and data structure, to intensive training in Javascript, Node.js, HTML, CSS, jQuery, C#, and more. In addition to learning in the classroom, students will spend 10-15 hours each week on outside projects and experiential learning activities to build a professional project portfolio that showcases their abilities to create web applications.
 
Students will also receive a range of career-planning services, portfolio reviews, demo days, recruiting assistance and extensive staff support. Local businesses participating in Georgia Tech Coding Boot Camp’s employer network will advise on the subject material and other student needs. While no previous experience is required, applicants should have a basic understanding of coding. Upon graduating, students will receive a certificate in Fullstack Web Development from Georgia Tech Professional Education, currently the only university-backed boot camp in the State of Georgia.
 
“SEDA cares because we are trying to attract and grow technology companies that require this talent,” said Patrick Bentley, emerging industries project manager, SEDA. “We believe it is a path forward for Savannah students who have the capacity to pursue this field though they may not have the chance to pursue a traditional four-year college education.”
 
The Coding Boot Camp, which will start on January 24, 2017, is designed to welcome the schedules of working professionals and students, with two three-hour evening classes during the week (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.) and a four-hour class on Saturdays (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.). To learn more about Georgia Tech Coding Boot Camp, visit codingbootcamp.pe.gatech.edu/savannah/. Students can apply online or by calling 912-436-3732.
 
“A career in web development can offer unthinkable opportunities for inspiring work and professional growth,” Lee said. “Georgia Tech Coding Boot Camp can provide the perfect entry point for anyone willing to work hard to learn web development.”