Apple Opens New Developer Academy In Detroit

DETROIT — Apple said Thursday it opened its new developer academy in the First National Building in Downtown Detroit, according to a news release.

The Detroit Apple Developer Academy is the tech giant's first training institute in the U.S. and will focus on teaching the fundamentals of coding.

Students do not need any coding experience to enroll into the academy, which doesn't cost any money.

Its first class was made up of a diverse group of 100 learners, who are aged 18 to 60. Each student will gain comprehensive app development and entrepreneurial training within a ten month span.

"We believe apps for everyone should be designed by everyone, and that all aspiring developers and entrepreneurs should have the opportunity to be a part of the thriving app economy," Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson said.

"Detroit has an incredible entrepreneurial spirit, powered by creativity and inclusion, and we’re thrilled to welcome this inaugural class of creators as we start classes at the Apple Developer Academy, the first of its kind in the US," she added. "Through the power of technology and innovation, we are proud to be helping prepare these innovators for new opportunities."

Live in Detroit? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.

Students will graduate with a full suite of skills that will help them find and create jobs in the iOS app economy, which supports over 2.1 million jobs across all 50 states.

Apple partnered with Michigan State University to open the academy in an effort to address systemic racism and expand opportunities for communities of color across the country.

"Our goal is to create new pathways and new opportunities for a diverse group of 21st-century tech leaders, and we’re proud to be working with Apple to bring this vision to life," Michigan State University’s lead of the Detroit Apple Developer Academy Sarah Gretter said. "I’m inspired by our first class of students, and can’t wait to see where this journey takes them — whether it’s starting a new business, creating a new app, or developing marketable new skills."