Software codes are not physical products. We cannot see the codes, but the user can use the results of a running a coded program in the form of a software application. The software applications so developed have redefined our everyday experiences and made life so easy, be it controlling a flight or buying groceries from a supermarket. Learning computer programming is thus an excellent avenue to gain employment and improve a person’s career profile.
The first generation of codes are called machine language. The second generation of codes are called assembly language and the third generation of codes is called high level language or HLL. All software programming languages need to be translated into machine codes for a computer to understand the instructions. While most of it happens internally, it is important that software engineers correctly ‘write’ programs that deliver the desired output.
Coding practice can be improved either by attempting to write a number of new programs suited to specific applications or even by modifying the existing codes. But what exactly is the purpose for which a program needs to be written? How do we define the software life cycle? What are the best languages to use to derive a certain output? How can people without any basic programming know-how get into coding and the software industry? This is where the role of software institutes occur.
Several software training institutes have mushroomed all over the world to address these issues. Often, they help in making people employment ready, give career guidance and training in a broad spectrum of software and programming languages including JAVA, SAP, CAD,.Net etc. Some also recommend software testing courses based on the candidate’s profile. With experienced faculty and tie ups with key companies, they deliver real value to a student and help in placements after course completion.
These institutes conduct long and short-term courses. They also prepare students for various international certifications. Further, they conduct workshops, events and other activities to encourage student-industry interaction, prepare novices for their job interviews and make them ready to face opportunities. Job fairs, campus interviews, etc. are also conducted regularly for students to get job placements on successful course completion. Many governments have also come forward to set up training institutes to train homeless people, women, unemployed and under employed persons. In order to encourage children to pick up coding skills, many software training institutes have also made available a number of courses for school students and kids in summer vacations.
While the remarkable results are here to see, the software training industry is rather unregulated. Many institutes seem to promise the moon and charge hefty sums, while the real certification is either invalid or based really on the reputation of a known parent brand. Going forward, it will be interesting to see how various governments tackle the issue and ensure that the benefits of software training reach all sections of society.
