Keen to gain the skills to create the next blockbuster app?
From left: Kevin Khoury and Isabel Dunnigan
Concordia Continuing Education (CCE) has launched a new Diploma in Front-End Web Development that gives students the knowledge and tools to build scaled-down versions of popular web apps like Airbnb or eBay.
Created in collaboration with DecodeMTL, a renowned coding school in Montreal, the six-month Concordia part-time diploma program aims to provide graduates with the necessary skills to pursue employment at some of the city's top tech companies.
"Most other offerings are dated and require a longer period of time and a wide range of courses before people can consider a career in this particular field," says Kevin Khoury, owner and co-founder of DecodeMTL.
"This diploma is for anyone who is looking to start their career in tech now, specifically as a front-end web developer. They can expect to find a job after completing it."
Front-end development refers to what web users interact with in their browser. For example, front-end developers at Facebook are responsible for everything from the login screen to the newsfeed and advertisements.
A perfect match
DecodeMTL offers an eight-week boot camp where students learn about programming fundamentals and databases, as well as back- and front-end development. After receiving numerous requests for a part-time program offered during nights and weekends, Khoury came to Concordia last fall to discuss the possibility of a partnership.
The team at CCE suggested they co-create a diploma program.
"Concordia is a powerhouse and a next-generation university," says Khoury.
"They understand that responding to the changing marketplace means being creative and bold."
Isabel Dunnigan, executive director of CCE and Concordia's associate vice-president of Lifelong Learning, adds that both organizations had great synergy during the initial meeting.
"We realized we could support each other to attain our respective objectives and that we could combine our expertise to build this program," she says.
"At CCE, we take a practical and hands-on approach to teaching and learning our students learn by doing. The DecodeMTL program follows the same approach."
Individualized support from industry experts
The inaugural six-month program kicks off this fall. It promises to connect students with seasoned industry professionals. Course will include soft skills training, such as how to think like a developer, as well as technical training in JavaScript fundamentals, debugging, testing, JQuery, object-oriented programming and more.
The program will also explore Firebase Authentication.
Dunnigan notes that students can expect small classes that encourage group work, interaction and individualized support from instructors.
"At CCE, we hire industry experts to lead our wide range of courses. DecodeMTL instructors are specialists who know the key competencies that individuals need to launch their careers as front-end web developers," says Dunnigan.
"DecodeMTL's accelerated diploma will provide an environment where students will feel supported in their learning."
What's more, graduates will continue to receive employment support from career advisors at DecodeMTL for six months following the completion of their program.
"This is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking front-end web development programs available in the city," says Khoury.
"Anyone wanting to work in tech should strongly consider this program. We have advisors who are more than happy to speak with you and see if this program is a good fit."
Classes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program runs from September 11, 2018, to February 18, 2019, and the summer session begins March 19. To keep classes small, course enrolments are limited to 20 students and operate on a first come, first served basis. The cost of the program is $10,995.
For those interested in joining the fall session, there are a small number of seats still available. Visit Concordia Continuing Education's diploma webpage or contact hello@decodemtl.com for information on how to apply.
