Zip Code Wilmington unveils its new home at The Mill

The renovations to the large, open space on the east end of The Mill are complete, the ribbon has been cut and Zip Code Wilmington is ready to take on more students and a second curriculum at its growing coding education program.

What's a big reveal without an official ribbon cutting! pic.twitter.com/MXMerIZnpo

— Zip Code Wilmington (@zipcodewilm) October 13, 2017

Gov. John Carney and U.S. Sen. Chris Coons launched the ceremony by marveling at Zip Code’s return on investment and its benefits to the community.
“If every investment [the state government] made had this kind of return, wow. We’d be in great shape,” said Carney.
The ROI so far has been $150 million into the Delaware economy, according to officials, with 75 percent of Zip Code grads landing jobs in the Greater Wilmington area. The average salary for coders who complete the program is $66,000. After just 90 days, many have more than doubled their salaries.
“People question whether the American Dream is still alive,” Coons said before the packed room. “You give us all enormous hope. I can’t think of a more important program in the country.”

This evening was one for the books! So glad to see such an awesome turnout. pic.twitter.com/JjkN0hcQc5

— Zip Code Wilmington (@zipcodewilm) October 13, 2017

The Zip Code graduates who made up much of the crowd have a range of backgrounds. One recent grad and former produce manager named shared his experience going from “produce to programming, kiwis to keyboards.” Another left the wine industry to take on the program. She quickly landed a new job developing the kinds of programs she once only wished she could improve. “Not to sound ungrateful, but it was almost too fast,” she said.
Presentations included Tariq Hook, Zip Code’s “drill sergeant” Education Director, honoring the original team of instructors and awards for graduates who have gone above and beyond. The program ended with a video made by Zip Code and TD Bank, which you can view here:

"You sleep code, eat code. Do everything in code." Surviving a 3-month boot camp, and landing a job @TDbank_US, thx 2 @WSJ featured school pic.twitter.com/R2aeyHiCy9

— TD Bank News (@TDNews_US) March 13, 2017

Applications for the 2018 winter session are now being accepted. Click here for more information.