Responding to a growing need for educated software developers in Wichita and the surrounding region, WSU Tech has launched a fast-track program in cloud computing aimed at placing students in the career field in as fast as 16 weeks.
Classes for the cloud computing and cloud application development program will begin Jan. 31.
“Over the last few years, WSU Tech has made a focused effort to expand our offerings in IT and Computer Sciences,” said Sheree Utash, president of WSU Tech, in a news release. “This is due to the growing number of employers who have come to us expressing a need for an educated workforce in IT. The pandemic and dependency on technology has only increased this need across all sectors. We are excited to not only help our students find careers in a growing and well-paying field, but also to help our business and industry partners meet their workforce needs.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has heightened the importance of cloud computing — that is, delivering computing services like servers, software and databases over the internet, or "the cloud."
The WSU Tech program will run for 16 weeks, or one semester, and will be offered in a bootcamp style or accelerated hybrid format. Students will complete most of their coursework online and attend four hours of flexible, facilitated lab time at Groover Labs in downtown Wichita.
“This program not only offers flexibility for the students but also gives them the amazing opportunity to attend classes at Groover Labs and work side-by-side with some of Wichita’s great minds in the tech world,” said Jennifer Seymour, WSU Tech's vice president of general education and applied technologies. “This is a real game changer for our students and can lead to industry connections that will benefit them now and in the future.”
Students can go on and complete the remaining classes to earn an associates degree, either fully online or in a hybrid format, in a few more semesters.
The curriculum for the fast-track bootcamp was developed in partnership with SnapIT Solutions, a tech solutions company based out of Overland Park.
Students will become certified in several programming languages, including C#, Python and JavaScript, and will be job-ready for a position in IT, such as a junior software developer. Local IT company Keycentrix has already pledged to offer guaranteed job interviews to these students, the news release says.
“WSU Tech's Cloud Computing and Cloud Application Development program takes the lead in carving a pathway to the software development jobs of the future,” said Luis Rodriguez, Keycentrix president. “If you are a prospective student looking for a new opportunity in software or cloud computing, or if you are a business breaking open new capabilities or offerings powered by software or cloud computing, then I encourage you to engage with WSU Tech on this program.”
