Twin Cities firms to launch academy to train software developers

A consortium of Twin Cities businesses plan a new private school to train up 240 software developers annually in a growing field where jobs are going unfilled.

Prime Digital Academy, announced Monday, will launch early next year, will offer an 18-week curriculum plus an optional 12-week paid internship.

The tuition will be $12,500, with scholarships aimed at attracting more women and minorities in the field at beginning salaries that average around $50,000 annually.

Mark Hurlburt, chief strategy officer of The Nerdery, the custom-software company, has resigned to run Prime Academy. It will be housed at the 500-plus employee, Bloomington-based firm.

Hurlburt said growing companies such as The Nerdery can't find enough software workers. Graduates of big programs at the University of Minnesota, St. Thomas and other colleges leave with "great theoretical experience in computer science or software development, but it's not tactical.

"Our program will be learn-by-doing," he said. "We will focus on relevant technical skills, what they will use … on the job and how you earn your keep. That's often not addressed in schools."

Hulburt said two thirds of IT leaders at Minnesota businesses say the tech talent gap already is negatively affecting their business, partly thanks to the onset of baby boomer retirements.

About 30 companies and organizations have committed to hire graduates, host apprenticeships, or serve on Prime's curriculum board, said Nerdery CEO Mike Derheim.

Prime Academy's 18-week classroom objective is to arm graduates with relevant entry-level technical skills, behavioral skills to succeed as part of a software development team, a mind set of continuous learning and toolbox of techniques to support a long, successful career.

Local supporters of the effort include BIR Networks, BustOut Solutions, Carlson School Center for Entrepreneurship, Digital People, Genesis 10, GovDelivery, ICS Consulting, Morsekode, Myriad Mobile; Olson, Periscope; Robert Half Technology; Smart Factory; Software For Good; Sport NGIN and Thomson Reuters.

Speakers at the announcement event Monday included Margaret Anderson Kelliher of the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA), Jeremy Hanson Willis, deputy commissioner of Minnesota Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and an aide to Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.

Prime Academy will feature an accelerated learning program dedicated to helping "smart, driven learners get up to speed" for jobs that will pay an average entry-level wage of $50,000, Hurlburt said. Some of the applicants are expected to have work experience, including sales and customer service, and have a desire to go deeper into software.

After a spring trial course, Prime Academy plans to start admitting regular monthly classes of up to 20 in July. Applications for the spring trial will close Jan. 22.

Tuition for Prime Digital will be $12,500. A participating financial institution will provide financing that, after a down payment, would enable students to pay off the cost of the course with monthly payments of about $310 for up to three years, Hurlburt said last week.

The founders say they also are intent in increasing the ranks of women and minorities in software development.

Prime is partnering with the city of Minneapolis, MHTA, Creating IT Futures Foundation and Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis on scholarships for low-income students, as part of a partnership program sponsored by the White House White House Office of Science and Technology policy to foster development of the accelerated-learning model in communities nationwide.

Prime is accepting applications at www.primeacademy.io for its first cohort in March 3.