What are coding bootcamps?
Coding bootcamps are intensive training programs that prepare students with practical, industry-ready skills. They are in-depth and often immersive training courses intended to provide aspiring developers with the skills needed to code professionally and the foundation to continue to learn as they work.
Bootcamps are a response to the fact that there is a massive global demand for skilled developers. Formal education systems cannot keep pace with the changing nature of work and technology, resulting in many employers not finding enough workers with these in-demand tech skills.
LinkedIn data showed that South Africa had more than 209,000 job openings on their platform, most of which require some digital skills. Demand for tech skills will outstrip its supply three to four times in the coming years, according to the industry body, SiMODiSA.
Bootcamps can be part-time or full-time courses with either in-person or virtual classes. It is a good idea to take the time to understand which of these course formats best suits your needs.
What coding bootcamps are offered in South Africa
The top coding bootcamps offered in South Africa are:
Each school has its unique approach and focus, and prospective coders should do their research and choose the school that works best for them.
Which are the best coding bootcamps in South Africa?
When considering which bootcamp will suit you best, there are several factors to consider.
Consider what your end goal is. What is the role or job that you want to be qualified for? Based on your end goal, you can find a course that aligns with the skills you will need. Different institutions specialise in preparing students for different career paths. Find out what career paths each institution specialises in.
Consider which programming languages and technologies you’d like to specialise in. Do you want to learn JavaScript, or is your heart set on Python? Make sure that the school you choose covers the languages you would like to learn in their curriculum.
Consider what learning environment will suit you. Do you learn best in a group, or will you benefit more from 1-on-1 coaching? Do you have the time to learn full-time, or is studying part-time a better fit?
Education is an exceptionally personal investment decision. Ultimately each student needs to find an institution that they feel connected to.
Coding bootcamps in Cape Town
Graduates from our Cape Town coding bootcamps are now working at some of the country’s biggest tech companies and most exciting tech startups.
Cape Town, aka the Silicon Valley of South Africa, offers the best employment opportunities for developers. The tech scene is thriving in Cape Town, and developer salaries in Cape Town are slightly higher compared to Johannesburg.
The rapid proliferation of remote work means companies are very open to hiring remote workers. Students anywhere in the country can train in our online Software Development program and access the many remote work opportunities available for developers. Keen to find out more? Learn about our CodeSpace Bootcamps.
Free coding bootcamps in South Africa
Many coding schools offer brilliant funding opportunities for coding bootcamps.
At CodeSpace, we offer Income Share Agreements, a fair and safe form of student financing to help aspiring developers study now and pay later. ISAs work like a Stokvel: you receive funding for your studies, and when you’re earning enough to support yourself, you pay back a percentage of your salary into the fund that paid for your studies, allowing you to pay it forward and give another student the opportunity you had.
You can learn about our ISA opportunity and check your eligibility here.
Free coding courses online
If you are not ready to commit to a paid bootcamp, you can start your coding journey with websites like FreeCodeCamp and KhanAcademy. They offer excellent free learning resources online.
Online coding games to sharpen your skills
Another way you can up your coding game and sharpen your skills is by playing online coding games, such as CodinGame, CSS Diner, and Ruby Warrior, to name a few. Some of these games operate in a single coding language, while others require you to know and use different coding languages at different times. There are infinite coding games on the internet to help advance your skill at your own pace while having fun.
Coding Bootcamp FAQs
Which is the best coding bootcamp in South Africa?
CodeSpace Academy has won the award for Best Coding Education Institution in South Africa two years in a row.
Are coding bootcamps worth it?
Yes, they are! Coding bootcamps make learning to code more accessible and allow you to land a job in the tech industry quicker than any other route. Once you graduate from a coding bootcamp, landing your first job will take approximately 90-180 days. Some CodeSpace graduates land their first job the day after they graduate!
Will a coding bootcamp get you a job?
Learning to code at a bootcamp won’t automatically land you a job, but it will equip you with the skills you need for a role as a software developer. You will need to put in effort to excel in your course and demonstrate your skills through a portfolio of coding projects. If you work hard and keep learning, there is no limit to your success in the tech industry.
At CodeSpace, we help you create a code portfolio to showcase your skills to future employers and empower you to ace your first interviews through our career coaching program. As a CodeSpace graduate, you’ll join our Employment Database shared with South Africa’s top tech companies and receive continued support for the first 1000 days in your tech career.
What is the difference between a structured coding course and using free online learning resources?
There are many places you could learn to code online for free. But did you know that only 7-13% of people go on to finish these courses? That’s because only a tiny percentage of people have the skills and motivation to learn 100% independently.
At CodeSpace, we understand this and designed a coding education with code coaches that support you at every step of the learning journey.
It is like having a personal trainer but for coding. You can observe and learn from experts in the field and get feedback from your coach. This approach allows you to learn what you need to know faster and grow in mastery more effectively. It is proven that students train more rigorously when they have the accountability, motivation, and expertise of someone who knows just how far to push them to reach their potential.
Unlike when you are completing a free course, with CodeSpace, you don’t have to go it alone. Along with support from your coach, you become part of our active student community. You can ask your peers going through the same course content questions, get moral support, grow your network, and have fun together.
Are you ready to give coding a try? Begin your learning journey today. Apply now!