Software industry training solutions from Codecraft Works results in 91% hire rate to fuel aerospace and defense workforce pipeline

2024-04-02

Innovative and customizable structure of VEST Program provides organizations direct access to pre-qualified talent.

Space Coast FL (April 02, 2024) - With a growing demand for software engineers across all industries, and additional factors such as the retirement of baby boomers who represent 25% of the nation’s workforce, the aerospace and defense sector is facing the critical challenge of attracting and retaining qualified software engineers.

Compounding challenges, including a skills gap, location barriers, and the increasing complexities of the industry, are also contributing to this workforce shortage. As of January 2024, there were over 26,000 unfilled aerospace and defense jobs according to LinkedIn, while 1 in 4 aerospace and defense companies report difficulty finding qualified workers, as per a 2023 survey by Deloitte. All this with a 7% projected job growth in the industry over the next decade, compared to the national average of 5%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This translates to 125,000 new jobs expected to be created between 2022 and 2032.

In order to mitigate this challenge, Codecraft Works, an educational technology developer and world-class training partner, introduced the Software Engineering Virtual Employment Software Training (VEST) program in 2023. Unlike traditional software industry training solutions, VEST can be directly integrated into an organization’s hiring program for a pool of its qualified, pre-screened candidates, all while being fully facilitated through Codecraft Works. This collaborative approach not only provides program participants with the opportunity to acquire remote, pre-employment knowledge of an organization’s structure and values, but also introduces significant cost and time savings for training and hiring needs.

This innovative software industry training solution has resulted in a 91% hiring rate upon participant’s completion of the program.

“We are more than excited about our partnership with Codecraft Works. It allows the CareerSource Brevard team to provide its customers with short-term training to land a high-wage job with major defense contractors. The 16-week course prepares its participants for entry-level software engineering positions. This collaboration has emerged as a win-win for everyone involved,” said Marci Murphy, President, CareerSource Brevard.

Research funded in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF), VEST is an online 16-week training program that prepares participants for entry-level software roles in the aerospace and defense industry. Program participants have the opportunity to pursue meaningful roles with top employers, providing continued paths for growth and achievement. In addition, upon completion of VEST, graduates will receive three-credit hours towards a CESC 300 Computing in Aerospace and Aviation towards a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide.

VEST can be customized with direction from industry partners to serve young people and adults finishing high school, vocational training, pre-apprenticeships, boot camps, community colleges, or those changing careers. In addition, VEST was designed to support veteran’s career transitions, empowering them with skills and knowledge to launch successful careers in the public sector.

Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:

• Use critical thinking to analyze, break down and solve problems.
• Write code in Python and C++.
• Gather and prioritize requirements for software projects.
• Apply the different phases of the software development lifecycle.
• Contribute to embedded software development of real-world applications.

To learn more about Codecraft Works and our industry training solutions, visit our website.

About Codecraft® Works

Codecraft® Works is a woman-owned small business (WOSB) education technology developer and world-class training partner that provides innovative online curriculum, courses and data-driven web tools to give our partners easy access to in-demand high-tech education so anyone can hone their skills and gain a competitive advantage in our growing digital world.