Technophiles with no prior coding background who are finding it very hard to become software developers should consider attending an intensive programme to transform anyone into full stack developers within 12 months called a boot camp.

Students and workers with or without a coding background who love technology can apply for free-of-charge full-time study at Sabai Code. They are working with a local telecommunications firm to select ten potential candidates for a year-long course.

As an educational institution, Sabai Code specialises in coding and robotics education for all ages. The institution aims to equip every Cambodian student with in-demand technical knowledge and skill-sets.

“For graduate and ungraduate students who want to be software developers, they can register to study at this boot camp,” said Leng Piseth, co-founder of Sabai Code.

“On a best effort basis, we will leverage Sabai Code’s extensive network to assist graduates in finding employment in software development,” he says.

Sabai Code provides coding and robotics classes for school children and trains programmers for the next generation of Cambodian leaders in technology and innovation.

The Silicon Valley-based Piseth found a growing demand for software developers in the Kingdom where there are very few professional developers available for some positions. He decided to do a short-course programme to produce more human resources.

Piseth, the financier for Sabai Code, tells The Post that “our main goal is to develop the next generation of software developers. But short-course learners can take a long time to finish enough of them before they can make a living.

“Then we had an idea to create a boot camp that provides classrooms which are not part-time or short-course but full-time,” says Piseth, adding that the university schedule offers three hours of classes per day held five days per week.

The one-year course welcomes all candidates who are passionate about technology and want to work in software programming.

“Students who do not know at all about technology can also apply and have chance to win the scholarship. When they complete a one-year course, they can work as software developers in an in-demand profession,” he says.

Sabai Code limits the candidates to only 15 students per course and the cost is $1,200 for the whole program’me. The boot camp programme catches Cellcard’s interest since companies provide room in the field of corporate social responsibility.

“Cellcard is interested in sponsoring 10 students to study at the boot camp programme,” said Piseth, adding that for those who want to use their time effectively and earn money quickly, this course is the best option.

Cellcard CEO Ian Watson sees the boot camp as a means to inspire and encourage young people to pursue employment in the digital workforce.

He said that “we need to increase digital skills such as coding to ensure we continue keeping pace with neighbouring countries and give our young entrepreneurs and start-ups the support they need.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young Cambodians who may not have financial means but want to carve a new career path in the country’s exciting digital landscape,” he said.

Soum Sareuon, 45, co-founder of Sabai Code, said what Sabai Code has been doing to train children as young as seven years old to become familiar with technology coincides with what Cellcard has been doing to develop Industry 4.0 in the Kingdom.

“In this course, students will undergo internships with partnered companies from the beginning to the end of project,” said Sareuon.

Sabai Code is responsible for choosing the students and signing a contract with ten candidates who must apply through https://sabaicode.com/bootcamp/form .

“We are not sure how many candidates are going to apply but we expect that there will be many students since this is the good programme,” Piseth says.

He says if they qualify by passing the writing test and oral test, they can study the full course free of charge. He hopes that impoverished students who have a knack for technology will apply for the scholarships.

“The scholarships will enable us to reach high-potential students who otherwise could not afford the programme. Such scholarships will be life-changing and we look forward to the positive impact the partnership will produce,” said Piseth.

Students start with the basics of web development and progress from front-end to back-end and finish the programme with cloud development, according to the programme overview. When they graduate from this course, they will have jobs with good salaries to support their families.

“They will learn all of the major technologies being taught by the leading universities in the world such as those in the USA, in order to become full stack developers,” advertises the programme.

Piseth said that “we do not post strict conditions for applicants because we want to be open for all candidates even if they don’t have a background in studying, as long as they are interested in technology and want to be software developers.”

Last but not least, candidates will go through an oral interview to see if their commitment is firm to make sure they are going to attend the classes regularly and graduate.

He hinted that the two things that are strongly required are passion and commitment, but candidates are not required to be university students.

“We want to reach as many as people as possible and we can choose the best candidates from the online applications. Candidates need to pass the essay test related to their life goals and their previous experience, to explain whether they know much about technology. We will be able to tell easily if they are really technophiles,” Piseth says.

The application period ends on July 17. For more information you can visit Sabai Code’s Facebook @sabaicode or website: https://sabaicode.com

Additional reporting by Roth Sochieata