Apple Developer Academy: Celebrations As Inaugural US Class Graduates In Detroit
Tech giant Apple has celebrated the inauguration of the first class to graduate from their US Developer Academy program.
The program was launched as part of Apple’s $100 million Racial Equity and Justice scheme and is the first of its kind to take place in North America. The scheme has provided students with the necessary skills and knowledge to land some of the most prestigious jobs in the tech industry.
The Detroit-based academy offers members of the community a free program to teach them the fundamentals of coding, design, marketing, and project management. The program, which took place over nine months, saw 90 students from the ages of 18 to 64 graduate, including a high school student, a pastor, and a mother and son.
“As a Black man in America, it is hard to find opportunities like this that give you the skills to get started in tech,” said a 28-year-old graduate from Detroit. “I am grateful for the chance to change the narrative around Black tech and make my son proud of his dad.”
The academy is run in partnership with Michigan State University and the Gilbert Family Foundation. The university partnered with Apple to supply instructors and mentors, while the Gilbert Family Foundation provides money and space.
Throughout the course, students receive all the necessary equipment for iOS development. By the end of the year, each person had developed their apps based on a range of consumer needs, including travel, health, wellness, and more. All programs will soon be available to purchase in the iPhone app store.
Some of this year’s graduates have gone on to earn jobs at companies such as General Motors, Ford, and Rocket Mortgage, with some students gaining acceptance into Michigan State’s engineering college.
Apple’s Developer Academy, which first opened in Brazil in 2013, has helped empower students worldwide with app development and entrepreneurial training. Their new expansion plans will bring the program to a more global audience, providing thousands of students worldwide with the necessary skills and opportunities to find and create thriving careers in the iOs app economy.
The Detroit Apple Developer Academy is accepting new submissions from people 18 and over for their upcoming class. The application is available on Michigan State University’s website for those interested in joining.
