Steve Wozniak intends to open an IT-institute that will protect people from job loss in the era of robotics

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is launching a new startup - the "digital institute" Woz U. According to him, the new educational institution should stream the training of IT specialists, teach ordinary people not to be afraid of technology and protect them from losing their jobs due to automation.

It is reported that in America there are hundreds, if not thousands, of programming courses. Including there are long-established applications that allow you to receive IT skills at home through online courses - for example, the service Udacity, founded in 2012 and numbering today 1.5 million users.

But Steve Wozniak is not afraid of competition. His Woz U will combine an application selling online computer science courses with a network of offline schools.

"People are often afraid to choose technologies related to technology, because they are afraid that they will not be able to master them," Wozniak said. "But I know that they can, and I want to show them how to do it."
Wozniak wants to put on the release of specialists in computer science, computer support and software development. In his view, this knowledge should protect people from losing their jobs in the era of robotics. Later, specializations such as large data analysis and cybersecurity will be added. Also, Woz U intends to train students to properly draw up a resume, draw up a portfolio and pass typical tests when hiring, which is supposed to make them ready for career growth.

The co-founder of Apple assures that graduates of his "institute" will be more competitive in the labor market even in comparison with holders of traditional university diplomas in the field of IT. Until now, graduates of various schools of programming and online courses could not boast of this. Worse, in large IT-companies they are not considered as serious contenders for any jobs at all.

Wozniak is going to use his connections in business to prepare from the most ordinary people high-level IT professionals, in fact, on the direct orders of large employers. Including Woz U will prepare and future IT entrepreneurs. The accelerator school will be located in Arizona. Another 30 offline schools should open in all states.

"Our goal is to give people digital skills that guarantee employment in the IT sector, without forcing them to pay loans for education for many years," Wozniak said, explaining the advantages of his future institution.
At one time, Wozniak argued with Steve Jobs, calling for the gift of handing out the first personal computers. Today Wozniak continues to support the maximum availability of technology. However, for the training in his Woz U have to pay. The exact amount of payment has not yet been disclosed. The representative of the "Institute" said only that "the cost of training will vary depending on the chosen program."

Finally, we note that Woz U also intend to establish contact with many schools, in order to encourage students to study STEAM specialties from school.

Sources: Business Insider, hightech.fm