Kaplan Test Prep, the global leader in test prep, and thoughtbot, a
premier web and mobile design and development firm, have partnered to
launch a software developer bootcamp for individuals interested in
becoming professional Ruby on Rails web developers. In the nascent
market of programming academies and developer bootcamps, the
Kaplan-thoughtbot venture marks the entrance of two industry
heavyweights, bringing together an established leader in education and
training with one of the world’s leading development firms in Ruby on
Rails, an opensource web framework using Ruby programming language.
Named Metis, inspired by the Greek goddess associated with wisdom and
good counsel, the initial bootcamp will be a 12-week intensive training
program, using curriculum informed by Kaplan’s proprietary learning
science and assessment insights and delivered by thoughtbot experts. The
first class will start on February 24, 2014 at thoughtbot’s Boston
office.
Metis is designed as a new economy skills training (NEST) program to
provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s
job market, preparing participants for hire. Under the competitive
application process, candidates will be selected among applicants for an
interview which will entail problem-solving questions. No more than 30
qualified applicants will be accepted for each cohort. Metis program
participants will be trained in HTML5: Erb, CSS: Sass, JavaScript, Ruby
on Rails and Git, and will learn how to independently create Ruby on
Rails applications. At the end of the program, graduates will
participate in a Hiring Day, which will connect Metis graduates with
potential employers.
“The current disparity between supply and demand for developer talent in
our economy means fluency in coding and software languages is a
much-needed capability in today’s job market,” said Bernardo Rodriguez,
Chief Digital Officer, Kaplan Test Prep. “Merging our experience as an
educator with thoughtbot’s technology expertise was a natural fit in
creating a superior program to help address the skills gap. thoughtbot
has extensive experience as an employer of Ruby on Rails developers, in
teaching Rails, and in actually building and shipping Ruby on Rails
apps, so identifying and training top talent for hire is part of the
company’s DNA.”
Chad Pytel, Chief Executive Officer of thoughtbot, noted, “We’re
thrilled to combine our know-how with Kaplan’s experience in delivering
intensive, outcomes-focused programs, and believe we’re in a unique
position to create a new offering that delivers an unparalleled learning
experience.”
With teams across the U.S. and in Stockholm, thoughtbot is the creator
of FactoryGirl, Shoulda, Capybara Webkit, Paperclip, Bourbon, Neat,
Laptop and other popular open-source libraries, and has taught Ruby on
Rails to hundreds of students worldwide, including at elite institutions
such as Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of
Business.
The first classes will run out of thoughtbot’s founding office in
Boston, on 41 Winter Street, where the firm has consulted for more than
50 startups and other organizations.
“Talent is driving our state's innovation economy and leading to new
opportunities for satisfying careers in Massachusetts,” said
Massachusetts Assistant Secretary for Innovation Eric Nakajima. “We are
excited about this new partnership to provide interested students with
the skills and knowledge to compete and add to our world-class
technology community.”
To apply, go to www.thisismetis.com.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with January 10, 2014
as the final deadline for the first cohort.
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com)
is a premier provider of educational and career services for
individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the
world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of
online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital
products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests,
including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate
school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys,
physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and
graduate admissions consulting services.
About thoughtbot
thoughtbot (thoughtbot.com)
is a world-class consulting firm that makes web and mobile apps for
early-stage startups and other organizations. Established in 2003, their
consulting team consists of 65 designers, web developers, and mobile
developers in Boston, San Francisco, Stockholm, Denver, Philadelphia,
Raleigh, and New York City.
Copyright Business Wire 2013