Get Coding Reshapes Tech Education, Expands Into Nova Scotia

In response to the gap in accessible and up-to-date tech education, Get Coding was created for individuals seeking to equip themselves with the skills needed by today’s leading tech startups. Recognizing the limitations of traditional education, such as universities and colleges, Get Coding founders and software developers Jan Mertlikand Sahand Seifi sought to create an inclusive and relevant learning experience for students, especially at later stages of their lives.“In order to have a thriving tech ecosystem, we need a diverse workforce and for that, we need an accessible program that teaches people the skills that companies of the future are using,” said Mertlik , CEO and co-founder of Get Coding.Expansion Into Nova ScotiaGet Coding started in Newfoundland but has recently expanded into Nova Scotia. What began as a small operation with Mertlik and Seifi coaching their initial students, has expanded to a team of four, including Vlada Kirilova handling marketing duties, and Mike Miller, a former student turned software developer. The coaching team in particular has experienced significant growth, expanding from two to 32, spanning across Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, with coaches working at local companies like Rafflebox and Dash Hudson."Nova Scotia was the next logical province for us to expand into. With its rapidly growing tech ecosystem and excellent support organizations like DNS, we were confident that we could thrive there,” Mertlik said.A Personalized Approach to CoachingAt the core of Get Coding’s success lies its personalized approach to coaching. "We identify Nova Scotia-based software developers currently employed by or with previous experience in tech companies within the province. We then match them with a student also located in NS,” he said, adding that during coaching sessions, students conceptualize personal projects they wish to develop and meet with a coach weekly, who assists in breaking down the project into manageable tasks. "The coach reviews the student's code, provides feedback, and assigns new tasks. Essentially, this process simulates the experience of being a junior software developer at a tech company."Integrating Networking and Real-World ExperienceGet Coding integrates their personalized approach into all aspects of their program. They have incorporated networking opportunities directly into the program, facilitating one-on-one interactions between their students and software developers. Additionally, they closely monitor events throughout the Nova Scotia tech ecosystem, such as Digital Nova Scotia, ensuring that their students are informed and able to participate in valuable opportunities.Success Stories and Future PlansHighlighting the impact of their program, Mertlik shares the success story of Cameron Mellis, whose innovative project caught the attention of his employer and ultimately led to a career transition into full-stack development. “Cameron, a flight dispatcher, participated in our program. His project, he chose to build, aimed to enhance his workflow by creating a tool to visualize the information he used for flight dispatching. He developed a sleek dashboard to improve efficiency, which he then implemented in his work routine. His boss took notice of the impressive new tool and inquired about it, learning that Cameron was learning to become a full-stack developer. Impressed, his boss reached out to VMO Solutions, a Halifax-based company specializing in software for airlines worldwide, to introduce them to Cameron. Within a couple of weeks, Cameron was hired there.”As Get Coding sets its sights on further growth and expansion in Nova Scotia, their ongoing commitment to student success remains a top priority. With an impressive job placement rate of 98 percent, Mertlik says they aim to close the gap and see 100 percent of students land jobs. With ambitious goals and success stories stacking up, Get Coding is well-positioned to continue transforming the landscape of tech education.Learn More About Get CodingFor anyone eager to embark on their own learning journey or to learn more about Get Coding and their upcoming projects, visit their website or follow them on their LinkedIn.