Such a good idea! I wanted to share for folks who might be able to take advantage of the opportunity and for commutnies that might want to replicate the opportunity for their residents. There’s a great opportunity from the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training in partnership with Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)…

Starting early next year, City of Minneapolis Employment and Training in partnership with Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) will kick-off an innovative new approach to training workers for in-demand jobs in the growing technology sector by launching a series of Minneapolis Coding Bootcamps. The initiative came at the request of the White House Office of Science and Technology and the Wadhwani Foundation.

“Minneapolis, like many cities, is ideal for the coding bootcamp initiative because of its size, growing demand for tech workers, willing employers, and innovative workforce development efforts,” said Lynn Overmann Senior Advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Best practices from national training models are currently being explored by the City and MHTA to be used in Minneapolis. Input from tech employers will also be incorporated to ensure that the training meets current and future industry needs. The coding bootcamps will be marketed towards a variety of populations including women, vets, and minorities who may or may not have formal training in the IT industry, but are willing to learn and are eager to adapt current skills and learn new skills.

The first Minneapolis Coding Bootcamp is expected to take place in early 2015 with a class size of about 20-25 students. Employers interested in helping to develop the program and/or connecting with graduates of the coding bootcamps can contact Andrew Wittenborg at 952.230.4551.

The program is being funded by a blend of state and local funding together with a $100,000 commitment from the CompTIA Foundation, to provide a total of $400,000.

For more information please visit the City of Minneapolis website.