CodeX Academy Partners with Tech Equity to Equip Nashville Residents with Coding Skills for Prospective Employment Opportunities

CodeX Academy to Empower Nashville Residents with Coding Skills through the Tech Equity Partnership

Brian Kimbrow, former SEC running back and current CodeX Academy student, discusses his journey learning to code with determination and vigor. His experiences denote the arduous road to learning the language of technology, describing it as complex but achievable with persistence. His endeavors have paid off, as he edges closer to securing a full-time job either as a full-stack developer or a software engineer, with an impressive entry-level salary exceeding $100,000.

Role of Tech Equity Partnership and Technical Training

The Tech Equity partnership, supported by prominent entities like Amazon, the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville Soccer Club, Vanderbilt University, Nashville State Community College, and real estate figurehead Tony Giarratana, is making headway in connecting with students hailing from underserved and underrepresented communities in North Nashville and Antioch, offering them prospective employment opportunities.

CEO of CodeX Academy, Phil Henry, denotes that the school’s mission is to provide comprehensive training beyond the graduation to assist students with gainful employment. The virtual program comes with an annual cost of $146,000, which is primarily funded by local grants.

Tech Jobs Hiring Trend in Nashville

Jobs in software development are prevailing trends for the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a projected growth rate of 26% between 2022-2023. Aberage tech salaries for such roles hover around $127,000 annually. The growing focus of Nashville on healthcare, music, and startups has increased local career opportunities for software development professionals. In 2023, the state of Tennessee was found to have over 6,800 computer jobs monthly, with an average salary of $90,354.

Emerging Interest in Computer Science among Students

Furthermore, in Tennessee, the implementation of legislature has made it mandatory for public students to take a computer science class to graduate, starting with the Class of 2028. The impact has already been significant, with over 22,000 students taking basic computer science courses in the 2022-2023 academic year, practically doubling the number from previous years.

Math Prerequisite Controversy in Tech Jobs

Andrew Becker, a computer science teacher at Antioch High, along with Computer Science Zone.org disapproves of the notion linking mathematical aptitude to success in the tech world. According to them, successful careers in the tech realm go beyond one’s prowess in mathematics, encompassing attributes such as self-reliance, logic, strong memory, attention to detail, abstract thinking, patience, and effective communication.

Equity Partnership’s Workforce Readiness Training

Alongside tech training, the Tech Equity partnership includes a workforce readiness training module that grooms students for job interviews. This initiative ensures students are well-equipped with soft skills to impress hiring managers and thrive in the corporate world.

Brian Kimbrow, having successfully completed his technology training, is currently going through the workforce readiness training. He aims to create opportunities in the tech space for others, opening doors for more to rush through.