Program gets NBA assist in training students for software developer jobs
Fantasia Simmons helps applicants for the Code Collective's coding education program on May 20. CodeCrew and the Collective Blueprint launched Code Collective, an education program for Shelby County residents who are interested in entry-level software developer positions. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Jerrod Bolton has long had a dream of working for Apple. The 21-year-old, who graduated from Freedom Prep in 2019, is currently working in a warehouse, checking items to invoices. He previously worked for Walmart and switched to a warehouse position that paid $2 more per hour.
“Through the grapevine, a teacher from high school gave me a call to apply for a new program that will train students to become software developers,” Bolton said.
He became one of several applicants for a new program created by CodeCrew and the Collective Blueprint.
With support from the NBA Foundation, CodeCrew and the Collective Blueprint launched Code Collective, an education program for Shelby County residents who are interested in entry-level software developer positions.
“I’m hoping after this program, I’ll be eligible for a developer job at Apple,” Bolton said.
There are 45,000 young adults out of school and out of work in Shelby County, according to Sarah Lockridge-Steckel, co-founder and CEO of the Collective Blueprint.
Erin Johnson interviews Jerrod Bolton for a possible position in the Code Collective's coding education program on May 20. “I’m hoping after this program, I’ll be eligible for a developer job at Apple,” Bolton said. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
“We’re trying to tackle the challenge of how to connect those young adults to living-wage careers and increase socioeconomic mobility,” Lockridge-Steckel said. “We’re building pathways to thriving careers and developing programs to help young adults get to careers in IT, health care and skilled trades.”
The Collective Blueprint and CodeCrew are expanding programming through a partnership that will educate young adults during the nine-month Code Collective program.
“CodeCrew and the Collective Blueprint have worked together before, but it wasn’t a formalized partnership,” said Erin Johnson, Code School director for CodeCrew. “By receiving the support from the NBA Foundation, we are excited to work together in a more formalized partnership.”
The NBA Foundation seeks to drive economic empowerment for Black communities. It recognized an opportunity to build pathways to help young adults become software developers and have a viable career in that space.
Applicants for Code Collective must be between the ages of 17 and 30 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, applicants must not already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree.
The program has a capacity for 25 students, and interviews were held the week of May 17 for the first cohort, which will be hosted virtually.
“We’re starting with one program per year and hope to host it more frequently,” Lockridge-Steckel said, noting that funding from the NBA Foundation covers the first year. “The program is full-time for nine months. The NBA Foundation support helps offset those costs, and we also give participants $400 per month to help make the program even more sustainable.”
“The goal is also to get industry certifications at the end of the program and use the program to talk to employers and get jobs with socioeconomic mobility,” Johnson said.
In addition to learning skills in software development, students will receive resume and interview help as well as other soft skills.
“We see this (Code Collective) as really being able to cater to the whole individual, not just providing education but providing holistic support for people who are seeking careers as software developers,” Johnson said.
Christin Yates
Christin Yates is a native Memphian who has worked in PR and copywriting since 2007. She earned her B.S. in public relations and M.S. in mass communications from Murray State University.
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