About Programmers Guild
What's a Guild?
A guild is an ancient idea spanning many cultures and civilizations all over the world. The idea is simple, yet powerful: local craftsmen and artisans serve their communities by plying their trade, and in that process they mentor the next generation of craftsmen.
We're a modern incarnation, focused on craftsmanship and professional development. We chose this model because it allows us to center our neighborhood as a locus of change.
Programmers Guild develops and delivers tech training for programmers. Our goal is to provide a hands-on training program that beats a path to a stable career.
We have 2 main objectives:
1: Tech Literacy
Tech illiteracy is vulnerability; it leaves people open to economic exploitation. Empowering our community to use technology to improve their lives is as essential as learning to read. We teach free tech workshops on the everyday uses of technology that people need, from how to use email to password management. Literacy is about the basics we all take for granted, but which leave people behind without support.
2: Career Development
Anyone can learn the skill-craft of computer programming with training and mentoring. Creating a space to find mentors and be mentored is a critical part of personal and professional development. As we create training programs to support skill and career growth for software developers, we're helping them build bonds that strengthen their communities. This reinforces learning and development
We believe software development is a skilled trade, very similar to traditional trades. No one should feel technology is above them or out of reach. The Guild is a community resource, here to provide access to technology, access to training and access to mentors.
It all starts by evaluating your skill level to establish a training schedule and get you to work. We're a team of working programmers who train working apprentices.
Our Vision of the Future
Black and low-income communities have been left in the dust. We want to see a future where our community is an equal participant in the digital economy. Local businesses should own their digital spaces, rather than being perpetual renters of wealthy platforms. Local citizens should have the technical know-how to be independent and set the prices for their labor. We see a community, where the people are the primary beneficiaries of the technologies affecting their daily lives.
Programmers Guild is on the ground equipping the community with the knowledge to create it's own opportunities.
| Problem | Our Solution |
|---|---|
| Accessible training | Our approach puts professional tools in their proper place by de-emphasizing them. Training focuses on technical aptitude, creative thinking and problem-solving techniques. |
| Lack of local tech resources | We remove the most obvious barrier first: access to equipment. Anyone can walk into our workshop, be curious, join free classes, no pressure, no money required. |
| Expensive and risky training programs | Training is free to participants. We combine education with career development for a seamless experience. |
| No work opportunities | Build a training program that flows directly into on-the-job training opportunities. |
| Poor tech literacy | Provide free tech literacy workshops throughout Oakland to support individuals, local businesses and entrepreneurs. |
Our Promise
Our goal is simple: be a safe, accessible, and professional organization where anyone commited to the craft can find a path to a career. No fuss, no friction, no cost. Just a strong community of mentors invested in the success of our community.