Zip Code Wilmington will offer its April 8 info session via Zoom

As coding bootcamp Zip Code Wilmington continues to conduct training online, it’s looking forward to its next cohorts — and you can attend a virtual information session to see if the program is a fit for you on Wednesday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

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— Zip Code Wilmington (@zipcodewilm) March 17, 2020

The format for the info sessions, which are usually held in-person, is “ask me anything.” Want to know time investment required, how to prepare and how to apply? This is the way to do it. You’ll hear all the details, plus there will be some alumni on the call to share their experience.

The session is free, but you’ll need to register.

We know one question a lot of people have is, are coding bootcamps still effective? You may have read that schools like Lambda are being taken to task and heard that the “bootcamp boom” is over.

A couple of things to keep in mind if you’re in Delaware, which still has a tech talent shortage and where the major coding programs like Zip Code and ITWorks are nonprofit: The bootcamp bust mainly applies to for-profit coding bootcamps like Lambda.

Recently, we asked Greg Plum, director of marketing for the Wilmington tech talent service Brandywine Technology, about it.

“The talent shortage is real,” said Plum. “You hear about it, it’s very real. It’s becoming more difficult for us, and this is what we do.”

From where he’s sitting, he sees most coding school graduates being snapped up by a local company well within 30 days of graduation.

“Several of our customers like to hire at that entry level, so [coding school graduates are] a perfect fit,” said Plum. “They hire from the entry level and they promote from within, which is an organic way to grow their company and enhance the skillset of that resource.”

So, yes, companies in Delaware are hiring coding camp grads. Your biggest potential barrier may be getting accepted into the highly competitive program — which, we’d guess, will be even more competitive now with many people out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic.