High-Tech Institute Partnering With Traditional Educators
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based Kenzie Academy is working with Butler University and Purdue Polytechnic High School on high-tech skills training. The Butler collaboration involves joint certifications in front-end web development, full-stack web development and software engineering. Kenzie Academy, which was launched about a year ago and bills itself as an alternative to college, offers career-focused training that involves paid apprenticeship work and immersive learning, mentorship and networking opportunities. Kenzie Academy Chief Executive Officer Chok Leang Ooi says partnering with Butler will help "level the playing field" for prospective tech industry employees.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Purdue Polytechnic Head of School Scott Bess discussed working with Kenzie Institute on a summer coding initiative. He says their philosophies line up well. "(When) Kenzie announced that they were coming to town and with the philosophy they had on real-world problems, starting with the projects, but also the idea that it was all competency-based and not necessarily just a prescribed classroom basis, we knew these were people we wanted to partner with," Bess said.
Butler President Jim Danko says the partnership represents how universities have to think differently today. "Participating in a new model of education with Kenzie Academy, which is reimagining the way learning is delivered, will extend the market Butler currently serves beyond the traditional four-year residential undergraduate student."
Ooi adds "we can’t think of a better institution than Butler University to launch this first university partnership. Butler has a strong history of doing things differently."