here’s how to train yourself to code for free (a useful skill in the world of work)

Digital has opened up an infinite field of possibilities in terms of employment. However, women still rarely turn to studies then careers in ITe. In order to sweep away preconceptions, Apple and Simplon launched theApple Foundation Program. This program has enabled thousands of people (including many women) to access free professional code training.

Today established in five cities (Montreuil, Marseille, Lille, Lyon and Toulouse), it is primarily aimed at people looking for work, whatever their background. The objective? Give them the skills to reorient themselves towards a promising career in the mobile applications sector, for example. Through this initiative, Apple and Simplon are working together to promote inclusion and support tomorrow’s talents in the digital world.

Learn to code in 4 weeks

In four weeks of training, participants discover the basics of Swift, the programming language developed by Apple. In addition to technical learning, they acquire design skills and professional skills, essential in the digital sector.

Designed to make coding accessible to everyone, including those with no prior experience, the program provides both a first step toward more advanced training and a springboard to begin a new career in application development. To find out more, we spoke with Lisa Jackson, in charge of environmental, political and social issues at Apple.

Why learning to code is essential?

Lisa Jackson. Today, our entire lives involve technology. Children today are familiar with technology from middle and high school, right? Learning to code opens up possibilities, whether it’s career opportunities, whether it’s just helping you better understand how technology could help you in your current job, or if you’re creative and want to give life to your creativity and visions. Today, knowing how to code is a powerful tool to bring all projects to life.

For me, coding is like learning a language. This is another skill that can open up a whole new world for you, once you master it.

What place for women in digital?

Lisa Jackson. I remember my first visit to Samplon. We all hoped to welcome many women into the program. Last year we had an all-female promotion in Samplon. We have seen over time that we continue to increase the number of women, and we are gradually reaching parity, with as many women as men in the classes. So this reflects the broader change happening in society, which is that more and more women are seeing digital as an area that interests them.

Why was it important for Apple to partner with this program?

Lisa Jackson. I think we recognize that we have a responsibility and an obligation to ensure that our products and our programming language (SWIFT), are accessible to people who otherwise might not have the opportunity to experience them . The program, when it started, was really designed to help people find a new field where they could find employment.

And that has developed into a program that can take you where you need to go. You can simply follow the four-week program to have an introduction to coding. It helps you overcome the fear of technology. For some, this can be a trigger to decide to go further and follow an advanced program.

Some of our students even went to our Developer Academy in Naples for an almost year-long program. We also worked with the French government to set up an intensive program which leads to a certificate recognized by the State. It’s incredibly important that if Apple makes devices that empower people, we need to create a way to reach as many people as possible, to give them the chance to fully take part in this digital boom in our lives.

What types of jobs could students get with your program?

Lisa Jackson. I am thinking, for example, of a teacher who has decided to become a developer or a person in sales who decides to join a startup. They actually work; they follow the program and become developers and coders.

We also have a lot of students who want to come back and be mentors to teach the next groups of students, which is wonderful. I remember another class where we had a woman, she had studied history and wanted to learn how to use an app to help her with archaeology. Everyone finds what they need in the program.

You also have classes dedicated to environmental issues. What is specific about this program?

Lisa Jackson. The particularity of our program is based on challenge-based learning. You learn by solving a problem. We had a class that focused on the oceans and the preservation and protection of our oceans. These are ways to show people two things: how technology can help solve problems that, in your mind, might not be related to technology, and how it can empower you to become a more engaged citizen, or a more active member of your community.

What challenges remain to be met in digital technology to establish a place for women?

Lisa Jackson. I am an engineer by training, there were one or two women in my classes at the time. Today, you see the number of women trained increasing in the fields of computing, science, technology, physics… And that is already a long way to go.

Even though we now have women at the head of large companies, I think that we can now hope to see more and more women in positions of high responsibility, but also as entrepreneurs, application developers, etc. In short, wherever technology is present.

If you are interested in this training, here is all the information you need to pre-register.