Abstract:

In this article the author analyzes “bootcamps” as a new trend in a programming learning and a lifelong education in Poland; and their influence on the information technology branch (IT).

The Bootcamp is a new method in lifelong education. So far, word "boot camp" was linked with military boot camp or correctional settings. However, the bootcamp could be an intense course too, which is very effective in learning new skills like programming. Participants of the workshop usually show a positive attitude to this new form of education because it put a stress on practical exercises in comparison to traditional, theoretical lessons. This method seems to be suitable for adults because it meets the rules of andragogy. According to Malcolm Shepherd Knowles there are 4 basic rules that determine adults learning: 1) Adults feel strong need to be involved in the planning and evaluation. 2) They learn from experience and their own mistakes 3) Subject of the course should have an immediate impact on their professional or personal life. 4) Adult learning is rather problem-centered [Kearsley, 2010]

In this article, the author presents programming bootcamps as an alternative to higher education and a lifelong education tool especially in IT. The number of IT companies and employees is increasing. In 2005 in Poland was 155,5 thousands people hired in IT and communication industry, but in 2015 it was 229,2 thousand. Gross salaries are increasing systematically: 4218,56 zł in 2005, 5538,06 zł in 2010 and 6685,33 zł in 2015 [GUS - Central Statistical Office, 2017].

The overall number of students at Polish universities decreases dramatically because of demographic decline (1 817,5 thousands of people started their studies in public and private universities in 2010, in comparison to 1 403,8 thousand in 2015). Moreover, 72,7 thousands of Polish students chose information technology in 2010 and 51,9 thousand in 2015 [GUS - Central Statistical Office, 2017]. It is expected that this number will grow and more people will be planning to work in IT. Unfortunately, according to GUS - Central Statistical Office, the biggest Polish statistic organization, only 8,5 thousand people graduated IT studies in 2015. It could be a vast problem for the IT companies because it means that approximately 90% students drop out their IT studies. In order to fill the gap between the number of graduates and their needs, they have to hire foreigners from f.e. Ukraine or reassign current employees such as analysts, testers or even managers.

The solution for that situation on Polish labor market is the bootcamp. In 2016 there were 3 significant programming schools, which organized bootcamps: CodersLab, infoShare Academy and Software Development Academy. Bootcamps students are at the age of 22 to 70 and they are determined to change their career dramatically and fast. It is really important because an internal motivation is crucial in andragogy and lifelong learning. In 2016 CodersLab was operating in 8 Polish cities, had 800 graduates and 82% of them have found a job as a programmer. The second programming school - infoShare Academy was operating in 5 cities, 200 graduates and 70% got a job. The last but not least, Software Development Academy was operating in 11 cities and 78% of graduates were employed. In this article, the author will focus on the bootcamp social and economic influence on the Polish labor market.

Keywords:

Bootcamp, Lifelong Education, Lifelong learning, andragogy, Programming, information technology.