Coding bootcamp roundup: Check out these 10+ Philly tech education orgs

Despite those mass layoffs you’ve heard about from Big Tech companies that hired too quickly or face internal turmoil, we know that in times of economic uncertainty, tech jobs tend to be more resilient than most. Look to CompTIA’s latest tech jobs report showing a continuously upward trajectory for industry employment, or consider this note Philly-based fractional CTO Nico Westerdale posted on LinkedIn recently:

“Skilled software engineers, product professionals, data scientists and marketers are skill in huge demand, and there are positions out there that employers are still having difficulty filling.

Large technology companies can afford to shrink numbers with minimal impact to the bottom line, but the majority of companies do not operate this way and technology hires are more critical to operational efficiency.”

Even during a period of economic turbulence, software and IT roles continue to be some of the most sought for employers to fill. That means there’s opportunity for those looking to enter the field. But first, training is required. A number of coding bootcamps and IT training programs have formed in recent years with a recognition that professionals are in demand, and the education necessary to enter the field typically doesn’t require a college degree.

Whether you’re a career changer or looking to improve your existing skills, we hope this guide serves as a resource to kick off or continue your coding education. Below, check out a dozen tech and coding programs with a presence in the Philly region for you to consider.

If you’re not necessarily seeking something local, note that programs such as General Assembly and Thinkful have fully remote courses you can take from anywhere. And while Technical.ly previously reported that CodeBoxx was going to expand into Philly, we couldn’t find any evidence of that on their website (and a rep didn’t reply to our request for comment), but you can still check out its fully remote courses.

Resilient Coders

• What? This bootcamp started in Boston but expanded to Philly in 2021. Since then, the organization has hosted three Philly cohorts with 45 students enrolled, and 31 people have completed the program, according to Executive Director Ayanna Lott-Pollard. Resilient Coders teaches HTML, CSS, Javascript, Express, React and MongoDB and is 100% virtual, with locally focused cohorts.
• When? The next cohort starts Feb. 13 and runs daily for 20 weeks.
• Cost? Accepted applicants receive free training with a $1,000 biweekly learning stipend.

Drexel Web Development and Coding Training

• What? Drexel University’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies offers courses in web design, development and coding. There are three courses that happen one after another throughout the winter and spring on 2023 in these subjects. These course are completely online.
• When? This year’s courses are Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. starting Jan. 17.
• Cost? $995 per course

LaunchCode

• What? This bootcamp is a nonprofit that added Philly as a site in 2021. The org not only teaches coding skills, but also professional skills, and helps its student land their first tech job. Expect both in-person and virtual classes in 2023, with the IRL location to be announced soon.
• When? Students are accepted to courses leading up to their start. Courses run all year.
• Cost? The program is free.

Penn LPS Coding Bootcamp

• What? University of Pennsylvania’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies offers bootcamps in coding, data science and cybersecurity. The coding program is offered as a 12-week full-time program or a 24-week part-time program. The other subjects are only offered part time. These courses require 10 hours in the virtual classroom per week and additional time outside the classroom.
• When? The bootcamps are currently enrolling for programs starting in March.
• Cost? The coding bootcamps are $12,995, data science is $13,495 and cybersecurity is $13,995.

Tech Elevator

• What? Tech Elevator has campuses in multiple cities, including a Philadelphia chapter that launched in 2019. The program teaches Java/C#, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and SQL. Lisa Sydney started in fall 2022 as the new director of the Philadelphia campus.
• When? There are bootcamps throughout the year, with options to complete them in person or remotely. There are also options for 14-week full-time programs or 30-week part-time commitments.
• Cost? Tuition is $16,500, but there are options for scholarships and grants.

Springhouse

• What? The Exton-based company offers a wide variety of courses in technology skills and subjects. The courses are online and range from one day to a few days with different time commitments.
• When? Courses are regularly added and open for enrollment throughout the year.
• Cost? A range of prices from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the course.

Tech Impact’s ITWorks

• What? This program focuses on young adult ages 18 to 26 years old by providing education about PC hardware, troubleshooting, IT networking, security and more, plus a five-week internship.
• When? The program is twice a year in the fall and spring, and runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday for 16 weeks.
• Cost? Free for accepted applicants

Per Scholas

• What? A national nonprofit that offers tech training to unemployed or underemployed people. Course subjects include desktop support, data engineering and cybersecurity. Courses are offered online, hybrid and in-person at the Philadelphia campus on John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
• When? Full-time programs are usually Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4p.m. for 12 to 15 weeks.
• Cost? Free

Urban Technology Project

• What? UTP is a paid training program that helps get people into careers in educational technology, computer support and software development through hands-on experience, professional certifications and mentorship. Apprentices of the program are placed in in-person, full-time, paid, two-year apprenticeships.
• When? A full-time, Monday through Friday work schedule. Recruitment for the next cohort starts Feb. 1 and the new cohorts start in August.
• Cost? Free. Apprentices are paid a salary with benefits

Nucamp

• What? This company offers courses in web development, front-end development, back-end development or full stack. Courses are online, but you’d be grouped with other people from Philadelphia.
• When? The coursework is on your own time during the week and live on Saturdays. Courses are each about a month long.
• Cost? Courses range from $500 to about $3,o00.

Coded by Kids

• What? This nonprofit is focused on fighting social and economic inequity by exposing young people in Philadelphia to tech subjects including software development, digital design, computer science and entrepreneurship.
• When? Course includes self-paced work and live learning on weekends.

Hopeworks

• What? This nonprofit serving youth ages 16 to 27 expanded to a new space in Kensington this past fall after years operating out of Camden. Participants receive tech training and work experience — say, building websites for clients — and get connected with employee partners.
• When? Training runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TechGirlz

• What? This Philly-founded, now-national nonprofit aims to help middle school girls embrace the power of technology.
• When? After school, weekly camps plus weekend workshops

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This list was built from our 2021 guide with some changes and additions. If you think we’ve missed anything, reach out at philly@technical.ly.

Sarah Huffman is a 2022-2024 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.