Software.org Connects People with Skills Training
TransformYourTrade.org highlights online resources from the industry’s leading software companies
WASHINGTON — September 12, 2018 — The software industry has more jobs than it can fill. Jobs for software developers alone are expected to increase by more than 300,000 by 2026. And as technology continues to rapidly permeate every industry, workers across all sectors, from manufacturing to agriculture, will need new skills to keep pace.
“People don’t always think of themselves as having the opportunity to get a software job – even though software jobs are growing in every single state,” said Chris Hopfensperger, Executive Director of Software.org: the BSA Foundation. “So, we asked ourselves: how can we help people gain technical skills and learn about new opportunities? Not every software job requires a four-year degree, and not every software job is about coding. There are so many excellent and free resources out there that provide that kind of training, but no one had compiled them in one place. We are fixing that.”
Today, Software.org: the BSA Foundation launched TransformYourTrade.org, a collection of resources – many of them free – from the industry’s leading companies and state initiatives to help early and mid-career workers connect with training opportunities and jumpstart a career in software. The site aims to help people learn new skills or grow their existing technical skills, develop professional partnerships, and learn to use the latest industry tools.
“Not everyone wants to sign up for a coding camp – and there is big demand for technical skills beyond coding,” Hopfensperger said. “We let folks explore opportunities at their own pace and from wherever they are. The only limit is their ambition.”
The offerings on the site are as varied as the opportunities available in the software industry. Some companies offer everything from online coding classes to full-scale certification courses for software development careers. Other companies help potential workers gain the skills they need to get a job using creative software or customer relationship management software to make or sell everything from art to auto parts. Still others provide access to advanced courses for software products workers may already be using in their current careers.
“We need to continue to increase the focus on STEM education and preparing the next generation – but the future of work is here, and we need to also focus on helping people today,” said Victoria Espinel, President of Software.org: the BSA Foundation. “Companies are struggling to find qualified workers. At the same, people who want to learn those skills don’t know what steps to take – and some might even doubt they can be successful. We want to give them the confidence to make that transition. TransformYourTrade.org is just the first step.”
Specifically, visitors to TransformYourTrade.org can:
- Click on an interactive map to connect with training resources in their state, such as bootcamps, online classes, and hands-on sessions;
- Easily access information about these opportunities in a number of fields, including cloud and database management, construction and manufacturing, cybersecurity, data analysis, and mobile or computer apps;
- Find inspiration in the stories of people just like them who are now thriving in software jobs after gaining skills that empowered them to make a career change; and
- Access insights and advice from news articles, industry reports, and company assets.
“The software industry is full of possibilities for people at all skill levels,” Hopfensperger said. “We want American workers to realize that the opportunity they’re looking for is looking for them too.”
Visit TransformYourTrade.org today and learn more.