Coding scholarships extended to adults

LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Asa Hutchinson and ARCodeKids representatives announced at the state Capitol on Wednesday ARCodeKids is creating a program to include 12 adults who each will receive a $6,000 scholarship to attend the 12week Arkansas Coding Academy.

The scholarships will provide adult Arkansans who are already in the workforce with new skills in a high-need area. Four of the 12 scholarships have been designated for employees of state government — one from each of the state’s four congressional districts. The four state employees selected will receive paid leave from the state during the academy.

Hutchinson also announced enrollment in state high school computer science classes increased by 12 percent from the 2016-17 school year. More than 6,000 students are enrolled this school year compared to 5,500 in 2016-2017. Since 2015, the state has seen a 460-percent increase in computer science course enrollment, from 1,104 students in

2014-2015 to 6,184 students in

2017-2018.

In his first month in office, Hutchinson helped guide legislation that made Arkansas the first state in the nation to require all public high schools to provide classes in computer coding. The governor also provided $2.5 million a year for four years to train teachers and support K-12 computer science education. Several national publications have cited Arkansas as a leader in computer science education.

“Our educators continually amaze me with their ideas for increasing computer literacy in Arkansas,” Hutchinson said. “This innovative plan to offer adults in the workforce the opportunity to learn computer coding is more evidence that Arkansans have embraced our initiative with an enthusiasm that attracts young people and teachers. The proof is in our numbers. Enrollment in coding classes has increased by nearly 500 percent over three years.”

ARCodeKids will work with the governor’s office and the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Computer Science to select applicants, who will be evaluated by an impartial committee. Information about applying for a scholarship will be provided by the end of the year.

Mary Condit, director of the Arkansas Coding Academy, expressed her appreciation for Governor Hutchinson’s support.

“The Arkansas Coding Academy is excited to partner with ARCodeKids and Gov. Hutchinson to train talented individuals in order to succeed in the IT industry in Arkansas,” Condit said.

“We are elated that Gov. Hutchinson has graciously allowed Arkansas state employees paid leave during the course in an effort to grow our skilled workforce, allowing Arkansans access to a better future. We applaud Gov. Hutchinson’s commitment to Arkansas’s workforce and are so thankful for the support from ARCodeKids.”

Dave Wengel, founder of ARCodeKids, said the number of openings for technology jobs validates the value of the adult scholarship program.

“Our mission is to help create new career pathways for talented Arkansans who want to pursue a technology-focused career here in our great state,” Wengel said. “This program is a natural fit given how many tech job openings we have identified.”

Anthony Owen, state director of computer science education, said excitement for computer science education continues to grow across the state, and not just in schools.

“My office has been extremely excited about bringing this scholarship program to the state since it was first discussed,” Owen said. “Not only should Arkansas focus on providing K-12 and postsecondary students with a quality computer science education, but we also must begin seriously looking at retraining our existing workforce. This scholarship program is a great early step.”