Hey, ASU grads! Here's how to learn code and land a job for FREE

Attention, Arizona State University students, and graduates: Ever thought about learning how to code, but unsure how to start?

A new program aims to recruit at least 1,000 ASU grads over the next five years, teach them for free in a coding-immersion program, and then guarantee them a job.

"Quite frankly, we want to be the leading employer of ASU graduates," said Joe Vacca, the chief marketing officer for Revature, a technology talent development company that has partnered with ASU to create the boot camp.

The program is targeted at people who didn't major in computer science or software engineering but want to make the jump into a coding career. Revature also runs the program with the University of Missouri, University of South Florida and the City University of New York.

"CIOs and CEOs have more technology jobs than they’re able to fill, so they started to look offshore. We took that issue and said, ‘OK, how do you create a program to create software engineers?’" Vacca said.

How it works

Any ASU graduate of any age can apply for the boot camp. Revature's screening process includes interviews and technical screenings and tests.

"We want students to come in with a foundation in software development so they can take on advanced concepts," Vacca said.

Anyone who doesn't already know coding basics can learn them through Revature's free, open, online coding program, RevaturePro Online, before applying for the boot camp.

Revature will accept cohorts of 20 people, who will do a 12-week intensive program together at ASU's SkySong in Scottsdale, during which they will receive a stipend.

Code for big companies

Revature guarantees employment for anyone who graduates from the boot camp. Graduates will work for Revature on projects with public and private partners, including the Department of Homeland Security, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, WiPro and Accenture.

"If you go back 20, 30 years, large corporations had training programs when you were brought into them. Those no longer exist, so what we’re doing is stepping in, filling that gap, providing intense training and at the same time helping with the skills gap corporations are dealing with," Vacca said.

The boot camp's first group started in November, and its SkySong group began Jan. 9. Organizers plan to expand the program this summer, running multiple cohorts concurrently.

Applications are open for the next session, which will start May 15. Apply at Revature.com/asu.