On October 20th, the Ethereum layer-2 Base network made an exciting announcement. They revealed that they are launching an eight-week training course called “Base Bootcamp” with the aim of transforming traditional software developers into blockchain developers. This program is available to individuals who are considered mid to senior level software engineering contributors. While the course is free, interested students need to submit an application and be accepted in order to enroll. The team will only accept less than 20 students for each cohort, and applications will no longer be accepted after October 27th.
The need for such a program arises from the fact that most software developers are not equipped with the knowledge required to build Web3 applications. According to Base, there are currently fewer than 30,000 onchain developers, compared to almost 30 million software developers. This means that only 0.1% of software developers are involved in Web3 development.
Base had previously released an online training program called “Base Camp” earlier in the year. While this program was open to anyone, Base realized that it wasn’t enough for individuals who preferred not to study alone. They understood that maintaining the motivation to learn a complex new skill on one’s own can be challenging. As a result, they created the Base Bootcamp, which provides additional support and resources for developers.
The Base Bootcamp takes a comprehensive approach to training. Each student is paired with a mentor whom they will meet with regularly throughout the eight-week program. In addition, students will have access to a group of experienced engineers from Coinbase and Base, who will be available during office hours to answer any questions or concerns. To foster collaboration and communication among students and Base engineers, a private Discord server will be established. Furthermore, students will be given additional assignments, which will be graded by members of the Base team. At the conclusion of the program, students will be required to develop their own Web3 application and present it to their peers.
Although there is no tuition fee for the program, students are required to make a deposit of 1 Ether (ETH) to ensure their commitment and completion of the program. The deposit will be returned to the student upon their graduation.
The shortage of qualified Web3 developers is a well-known challenge in the industry. In response, some educators in Australia have suggested introducing Web3 development courses in high schools to address the issue. Additionally, various companies are trying to simplify Web3 development by creating tools that enable developers to utilize familiar Web2 methods. For instance, Circle recently released a set of tools that allow developers to deploy contracts using Web2 techniques.
In conclusion, the launch of the Base Bootcamp by the Ethereum layer-2 Base network is an exciting opportunity for experienced software developers to transition into the world of blockchain development. With the support of mentors, experienced engineers, and a collaborative learning environment, students will explore the intricacies of Web3 development and gain the necessary skills to create their own Web3 applications. By bridging the gap between traditional software development and the blockchain ecosystem, Base hopes to increase the number of qualified Web3 developers and further expand the possibilities of decentralized technology.