Qt Group has launched Qt Academy, a free eLearning and career path initiative to teach the next generation of product and software development professionals to design, develop, and test with Qt.
In addition to a wealth of on-demand materials from Qt, Qt Academy will feature bespoke customer-sponsored tracks to give learners real-world experience of working with innovative brands.
Qt Academy will enable people of all backgrounds to explore designing, developing, and testing apps, solutions, or other types of interfaces as part of their studies, business, or hobby. The sponsored tracks will offer Academy students hands-on experience working on real projects alongside Qt customers. The tracks will feature bespoke interactive competitions and projects, granting emerging talent the opportunity to launch or pivot their careers with exciting companies using the Qt framework and tools.
“We believe the future will be built with Qt, and the Academy will be a game-changer for the futures of graduates, career-changers, and other tech enthusiasts, as well as Qt customers and the Qt technologies themselves,” says Tapio Haantie, Business Line Director for Community and eLearning at Qt. “Any technology is only as effective as the talent that uses it. Investing in eLearning and providing these free courses for anyone shows our commitment to the ecosystem and growing the next generation of currently 1.5 million Qt developers and creators.”
The first sponsor track course is being developed with FYI, a California-based web 3.0 AI messenger mobile tech company founded and headed by artist and tech entrepreneur, will.i.am. It will include frontend and backend modules alongside a competition that will see students create a widget, companion app, or other digital product enhancement for the existing FYI app. The winner of the competition will present their winning idea at the 2023 Qt World Summit and receive a certificate from Qt and will.i.am.
“The potential of Qt Academy is huge,” says will.i.am, co-founder and CEO of FYI. “It will give young developers access to the best mentors to help them define their skill sets and provide the opportunity to collaborate with other developers and exciting brands worldwide. Through the Academy, we want to encourage students to expand what we do at FYI, to collaborate and solve problems better, and to think about how we can take things to the next level.”
“We are excited to start this inspiring partnership with Qt, as we join forces to inspire individuals to learn coding and app development. Together, we are committed to providing transformative educational experiences that encourage more people to enter the world of coding, fostering a new generation of app developers and innovators. Qt is in the DNA of our product, and we look forward to shaking up the world of creative technology together,” says Lilly Kam, Product Manager, FYI.
The sponsored track initiative will let companies connect with talent, build brand awareness and empower graduates with real product development experiences. The need to attract and nurture developer talent has never been greater, with IDC predicting the global shortage of full-time developers will grow from 1.4 million in 2021 to 4.0 million in 2025.
A kick-off event is being held with FYI in Los Angeles to launch the initiative. The unveiling event will see students and partners of Qt and FYI come together to hear more about the initiative, and how to enroll as a student or get involved as a future learning track sponsor.
Learn more about Qt Academy, enrolment, and sponsored tracks here.
