The First Factory Academy is an internal boot camp for developers who are beginning their careers. Chinese philosopher Confucius is credited with the statement, “What I hear I forget. What I see I remember. What I do I understand.” It is this attention to hands-on learning, or building skills as they code that makes our training programs so effective. Our previous Academy “graduates” have successfully navigated growing careers and have worked on dozens of projects, adapting to challenges and newer technology more quickly than their contemporaries.
We hire software engineering enthusiasts who have exhibited a strong command of programming fundamentals and demonstrate solid problem-solving skills with an unbridled passion for learning. Our first fully remote boot camp will focus on Full Stack development, specifically Java and React. The application process was fairly intense and six applicants were selected for the first cohort. The program runs for 3 months, with a brand new cohort starting each month. All Academy members are full-time First Factory employees, not interns or temporary hires.
Our customized training program reinforces foundational knowledge of object-oriented programming and test-driven development and refines soft skills needed for successful client relations. The Academy members will spend 90 days in the program with the first month dedicated to foundational learning, clean coding principles, design patterns and practical application of the technologies referenced. In month two, Academy participants will begin pairing with engineers on one of our clients, familiarizing themselves with the environment, business logic, coding standards and performing light pair programming.
Month three intensifies as developers will be coding more with a larger First Factory team for the same client and refining skills further. They will spend time pair programming on complex tasks, working on smaller tickets independently and attending Agile ceremonies with the client such as daily stand-ups, sprint planning and more. At the end of the 90 days, some Academy developers will be placed with a co-sponsored partner client, and others will be assigned to an internal product team or on an alternate client project.
Engineering Managers lead our Academy with Full Stack technologies and project management expertise. After completing the Academy, developers are ready to add value to clients on day one, often exceeding the performance of developers with more experience at other workplaces. Our investment in these employees doesn’t end on “graduation day.” Developers are subsequently assigned mentors (senior developers with an average of 5 years experience) who provide ongoing coaching, review code and help identify options for impediment resolution. All employees receive feedback and additional coaching, with all junior developers being formally evaluated every six months for their first two years, and are provided constructive feedback from clients.
The First Factory Academy takes the brightest and most passionate from the next crop of developers. It provides them with the guidance and support they need to have a long and distinguished career in software development.
Our initial application process takes between two and four hours to complete, ensuring the ideal candidates are being advanced. Once we’ve received an initial application, we send candidates an email with a document that will outline the remainder of the process to complete their application formally. This full-time role includes a comprehensive benefits package, and we are looking forward to continuing this program for future hiring needs. The First Factory Academy provides the focus, challenge and mentored guidance that will accelerate the advancement of developer readiness for international clients.
