The global demand for developers is soaring, says Arun Goyat, founder of CodeQuotient

Q1. Can you introduce us to CodeQuotient and what fuels its ambitious mission?

The digital revolution may have begun in Silicon Valley, but its future will be written in the small towns of India. The global demand for developers is soaring, and CodeQuotient was founded to meet this growing need. We're dedicated to harnessing India's rich talent pool and integrating them into top tech companies worldwide. Our mission is clear: to make India the talent capital of the world. Despite being a prime destination for IT outsourcing with an extensive pool of skilled developers, India's smaller cities often face neglect in technical education. Since 2015, CodeQuotient has aimed to bridge this gap, identifying and addressing the inferior quality of tech education in these regions. We recognise the latent potential in these students for software engineering but see the lack of quality education and skill development. To combat this, the CodeQuotient School of Technology targets the undiscovered talent in Tier 2/3/4 cities to gear them up for the IT industry. As India's first NewAge Software Engineering School, we're committed to revolutionising traditional education and paving the way for sustainable career success in the tech world.

Q2. Many ed-tech companies focus more on skills; however, colleges and universities focus more on the degree. How does CodeQuotient balance the importance of skills and degrees, especially for 12th-standard students?

While skills are key to job security, degrees are equally important. In India, many colleges focus on theory and grades, not practical skills, even with advanced curricula under the National Education Policy. CodeQuotient School of Technology addresses this gap by offering a unique blend of on-campus industry exposure and accredited degrees. Students benefit from mentorship by experienced engineers and academics, hands-on developer training, and internships with over 150 hiring partners, often with stipends. Additionally, tuition sponsorship options are available. This innovative approach combines the best of ed-tech platforms and traditional college education, fostering robust, sustainable career paths for students.

Q3. What are the primary challenges faced by students from Tier 2/3/4 cities in India that CodeQuotient aims to address?

In India, around 9 million talented students from Tier 2/3/4 cities are often left underserved due to a lack of awareness about available resources and a conducive environment. Many of these students end up making uninformed decisions about their education and careers, which can hinder their progress in a country of opportunities where the IT industry is booming and projected to reach $400 billion by 2030. Despite the large number of software engineering graduates entering the job market each year, many positions remain unfilled due to a lack of necessary skills. CodeQuotient is deeply addressing this issue by conducting awareness campaigns among students in Tier 2/3/4 cities and small villages. By empowering these talented but underserved students with knowledge about the future job market and available opportunities, CodeQuotient aims to bridge the gap between the skills demanded by companies and the talent pool available. This initiative not only benefits the students themselves but also contributes to the growth of India's economy, potentially surpassing the $400 billion target for Indian IT outsourcing.

Q4. What distinguishes CodeQuotient from traditional education systems in preparing students for the demands of the software engineering industry?

CodeQuotient stands out from conventional education with four key pillars:

• Learning Methodology: Our hands-on, industry-driven approach teaches students software engineering by developing real-world software, saving time and delivering practical skills.
• Companies Engagement: We collaborate with companies to tailor our curriculum, ensuring students gain relevant development experience across technologies, aligning with long-term hiring needs.
• Fees Sponsorships: Hiring partners sponsor tuition fees for deserving students who lack the means for formal education.
• Internship: Integrated internships provide students with up to 1.5 years of real-world work experience.

Q5. How does CodeQuotient effectively reach and tap into the untapped talent pool in Tier 2/3/4 cities?

Our SuperCoders Hunt Program, active in Haryana's smaller cities and villages, aims to motivate financially disadvantaged students towards tech careers. It identifies potential IT talent in untapped areas, trains them as SuperCoders™, and connects them with leading tech firms. In future, we plan to expand this initiative nationwide, reaching every town and village in India.

Q6. How is industry integration implemented in CodeQuotient School of Technology? Does it involve merely guest lectures and MOUs, or is there a deeper level of collaboration with companies?

We're not operating like any college or university that offers occasional guest lectures or signs MOUs without a clear focus on generating skilled employment outcomes. We are working on deep industry integrations and helping companies run their talent development program as HCL, Zoho and Shopify are doing. Unlike other market players, our focus is on preparing a skilled workforce not just for a single company, but for a diverse pool of over 150 partner companies, while offering regular degrees to students. We recognize that not all companies (whether startups or top tech companies) have the time and bandwidth to run their talent development programs independently for their future growth. That's where our programs come in. For instance, we have collaborated with Meritech Solutions to jointly prepare students for job opportunities in Japan. They handle the Japanese language training, while we focus on developing technical skills. Similar success stories abound, both from the perspective of companies and students.

Q7. What are the placement opportunities and job prospects for students after completing their education at CodeQuotient?

Since our start in 2015, we've grown our network to include 150+ hiring partners. We equip students with industry-standard training, setting them up for successful careers. Our partners value our students for their immediate tech productivity, resulting in average starting salaries of 7.2 lakhs, with some reaching 20 lakhs. At CodeQuotient School of Technology, students engage closely with these companies for up to 1.5 years during their degree. This not only boosts employer trust but also ensures better job prospects and potential for higher salaries than our current records. Join us today for a rewarding tech journey of tomorrow!