Education giant Kaplan is strengthening its place in the expanding
market of technology bootcamps with the launch of two new programs this
summer: one for aspiring data scientists and one for aspiring product
designers. Both bootcamps will operate under Kaplan’s new Metis brand of
intensive learning programs, launched in 2013 to provide new economy
skills training (NEST) in competencies that are in high demand in
today’s job market. Both programs will run for 12 weeks, beginning in
mid-August, and take place in WeWork’s recently-opened facility at 79
Madison Avenue, in the Flatiron district.
Metis’ data science bootcamp will be taught by expert practitioners from
Chicago-based Datascope Analytics. The curriculum combines Datascope’s
industry experience in human-centered data science design with Kaplan’s
proprietary learning science and assessment insights. Data scientists
have been called “a rare breed,” those who have “a brain for math,
finesse with computers, the eyes of an artist and more."* By flexibly
culling valuable insights from often disparate sources, they are
changing the way that businesses work with data on a grand scale. By
2018, there will be almost 500,000 new jobs in data science, with a
projected shortage of up to 190,000 qualified data scientists**.
The Metis data science course will provide students with the skills to
derive insight from data, as well as experience in the process of
choosing the right analytical tools and data sources for the question,
and communicating outcomes to maximize the transfer of insight to key
stakeholders. The program is designed to train-by-doing, and will use
the iterative data science design process to cover machine learning
algorithms, SQL and NoSQL databases, python programming language and
packages, Bayesian modeling, and visualization tools and techniques, and
many other topics.
Metis’ product design bootcamp will be taught by thoughtbot, the premier
web and mobile design consulting firm that serves as Metis’ current
partner for its ongoing Ruby on Rails bootcamps in Boston and New York.
Metis’ product design Bootcamp is 12 weeks of intensive on-site
instruction through building digital products. For graphic and web
designers looking to get into the full-stack of product design and
development, the Metis bootcamp provides the opportunity to get hands on
experience at every level of digital products. The course covers
front-end web designing skills to build what students design,
researching solutions and prototypes through fieldwork, and measuring
the outcomes of their products to improve them. Post-graduation,
successful students will be prepared for roles as a UX, UI, or product
designer.
A Forrester research report on “The State of Digital Experience
Delivery, 2014” shows that 58% of technology, marketing and business
decision-makers surveyed cited a shortage of workers with the
appropriate skill sets as one of their biggest pain points when it comes
to roles for digital experience projects. At the top of the list of
lacking skills were “user experience” (UX) and “big data,” with nearly
half of respondents picking either UX designers/developers or data
experts/scientists as the most difficult tech-centric role to hire.
“As our world becomes increasingly digital, today’s workforce demands
talent with the ability to apply relevant technology skills,
particularly in certain roles. Right now that demand is outpacing
supply, which makes it a great time for those aspiring to work in data
science and product design,” said Bernardo Rodriguez, co-founder of
Metis. “By combining Kaplan’s experience in immersive, outcomes-based
learning with the data science expertise of Datascope Analytics and the
product design expertise of thoughtbot, we can help train top talent for
hire and help companies get the talent they need.”
Under the competitive admissions process, select applicants will sit for
an interview that will entail problem-solving questions. No more than 20
applicants will be accepted for each bootcamp. Both bootcamps will
culminate in the fall with a Career Day, which will connect Metis
graduates with potential employers.
Metis offers a $2,000 scholarship for women, underrepresented minority
groups, and veterans or members of the U.S. military. Metis has also
partnered with Upstart, a firm that provides individuals with access to
funding for career advancement in exchange for a percentage of their
future earnings.
To learn more about the New York bootcamps, visit http://www.thisismetis.com/new-bootcamps.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Metis currently runs
bootcamps for aspiring Ruby on Rails web developers in Boston and New
York City. Metis’s inaugural Ruby bootcamp, introduced in Boston,
recently concluded with a successful Career Day which featured more than
20 prospective employers; a second cohort of Boston-based Ruby students
began June 2. Metis’s New York-based Ruby on Rails bootcamp begins June
16.
*Harvard Business Review, “Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the
21st Century,” Thomas H. Davenport and D.J. Patil, October 2012. http://hbr.org/2012/10/data-scientist-the-sexiest-job-of-the-21st-century/ar/1
**McKinsey Global Institute, “Big data: The next frontier for
innovation, competition, and productivity,” May 2011. http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/business_technology/big_data_the_next_frontier_for_innovation
About Kaplan, Inc.
Kaplan, Inc. (www.kaplan.com)
is a leading international provider of educational and career services
for individuals, schools, and businesses. Kaplan serves students of all
ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test
preparation, professional training, and programs for kids in grades K
through 12. With nearly 400 locations in more than 30 countries, Kaplan
serves more than one million students each year. Kaplan is a subsidiary
of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE:GHC) and its largest division. In 2013,
Kaplan reported $2.2 billion in revenue.
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 85 designers, web developers, and mobile
developers in Austin, Boston, San Francisco, Stockholm, Denver,
Philadelphia, Raleigh, and New York City.
About Datascope
Datascope (datasco.pe)
is an elite data science firm that helps clients across industries
achieve breakthroughs in data by designing and building analytical tools
that solve their business problems. Founded in 2009, Datascope is
headquartered in Chicago, IL.
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Graham Holdings
Company (NYSE:GHC)
Copyright Business Wire 2014