Apple expands its Everyone Can Code initiative around the world

Originally limited to just the US, Apple's "Everyone Can Code" initiative has now been opened up to over 20 universities and colleges around the world. The expansion takes the coding curriculum to Australia's RMIT, Plymouth University in the UK and many other establishments.

The aim is to give people the chance to learn how to code, using the App Development with Swift curriculum for online and on-campus courses. The year-long course serves as an introduction to coding, and is open to students of all levels of ability.

The Everyone Can Code initiative was launched earlier in the year, spreading to nearly 40 community colleges across the US. Designed by Apple engineers and educators, the program uses the iPhone-maker's name as a draw.

Talking about the expansion of its coding program, Apple CEO Time Cook said:

We launched the Everyone Can Code initiative less than a year ago with the ambitious goal of offering instruction in coding to as many people as possible. Our program has been incredibly popular among US schools and colleges, and today marks an important step forward as we expand internationally. We are proud to work with RMIT and many other schools around the world who share our vision of empowering students with tools that can help them change the world.

Martin Bean CBE, RMIT University vice chancellor and president, is very pleased with Apple's decision to expand the initiative:

App Development with Swift will play a crucial role in helping RMIT's students use their creativity and entrepreneurship to prepare for success in the 21st century workforce. These are the sort of skills Australians need for the jobs of the future, and we’re thrilled to work with Apple to deliver this important curriculum.

Other new educational establishments benefitting from the curriculum include Mercantec in Denmark, Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen in the Netherlands, and Unitec Institute of Technology in New Zealand.