Apple's Everyone Can Code being used in 4,000 schools, 80 community colleges in US

By Mike Wuerthele

Speaking at introductory remarks before Wednesday's American Workforce Policy Advisory Board meeting in Washington, D.C., Apple CEO Tim Cook detailed that there were over 4,000 U.S. schools using "Everyone Can Code" materials, with 80 community colleges also participating in the initiative.

Apple CEO Tim Cook with President Donald Trump

"And so we've done a curriculum now, and provided it to all schools in the U.S. 4,000 have picked it up. Now we have a lot further to go because there's a lot more than 4,000 schools in America, but that is a start," Tim Cook said, after being introduced by President Trump. "We've also done that with 80 community colleges. And we're really proud of that, particularly with the work that we're doing in Austin, and providing coding education there.

Apple's Everyone Can Code was launched in 2016 as a comprehensive training program for Apple's Swift language. In November, Apple said that there were more than 5,000 schools, community colleges, and technical colleges worldwide using the materials.

App Development with Swift is intended to provide students critical skills they need for high-demand and high-skill jobs, according to Apple. In the next school year, the company will release a free AP Computer Science Principles course syllabus and curriculum, allowing high school students the ability to earn Advanced Placement credit for learning App Development with Swift.

Students are also able to earn a certification for their Swift studies, with the App Development with Swift Level 1 certification exams offered through Certified Authorized Testing Centers.

The American Workforce Policy Advisory Board's stated goal is to provide input to the president and the U.S. government regarding workforce issues that may arise in the future, while at the same time working to raise awareness of ways workers can better themselves in the process. The group is cooperating with the National Council for the American Worker, providing guidance to ensure students and workers can access affordable and relevant education and job training -- which Everyone Can Code provides.