Seeking to attract more people (students, professionals) in the Philippines into coding, programming tech platform StackTrek teams up with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to launch the “Code Your Future” initiative.

The year-round coding project will enable interested individuals to enroll in the course through the StackTrek platform. It is cloud-based so anyone with a computer will be able to enroll. Different programming languages are available so those who already have an experience in coding but want to advance their knowledge can choose what they are comfortable with or want to discover new language.

People who don’t have any background in coding or programming can also join so they can jumpstart a career in IT.

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“In the Philippines, a person who learns programming and goes on to become a programmer, his/her annual average salary can go to as high as P465,000 and millions more in lifetime earnings,” said Bill Yuen, the founder of StackTrek. “And getting that person who’s the first in his or her family to learn coding effectively transforms the earning potential in that family. That’s irreversible progress. You don’t need to be interested in coding. You just need to be interested in getting a good life.”

Non-coders

To pilot the initiative is the Code Your Future Webinar held on April 29, which covers tech career trends and steps in getting started in programming. Beginners were expected to code their first program in 15 minutes. Under the initiative is a series of activities designed to help people who are interested in having a successful tech career, from non-coders to experienced developers.

“Under the CHIP Conceptual Framework, which stands for Connect, Harness, Innovate, and Protect, which was launched last year, we at the DICT are executing capacity building plans aimed at providing different sectors of the community with the relevant skills and knowledge to be more digitally competitive,” said Ali Atienza, Undersecretary for Government Digital Broadcast Television and the Digitization of the Entertainment Industry Sector at the DICT. “This initiative also comes at a great time during this pandemic, as it will provide a lot of opportunities for Filipinos to develop their skills and become more internationally competitive.”

There will also be hands-on interview kits that will prepare programming graduates for their technical interviews. There are online meet-and-greet, networking sessions, and career fairs with tech companies.