More than a decade after its founding, BrainStation has cemented its reputation as a leader in digital skills education. Its education team of 250 industry professionals has trained over 100,000 people through campuses in New York, San Jose, Toronto and Vancouver. In 2021, BrainStation opened a new campus in London, England, where the bootcamp is positioning itself to help fuel the talent pipeline for such global brands as Unilever, Diageo, AstraZeneca and Deliveroo. After going fully online during the COVID pandemic, Brainstation is once again offering in-person classes in Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Miami and London.

What Sets BrainStation Apart?

BrainStation is highly focused on your future career success, and that work begins on day one of the bootcamp. You’ll kick off the program setting your career goals, then participating in regular resume and interview workshops throughout, with one-on-one support available any time. That career focus, combined with cutting-edge training, translates to a 90 per cent employment rate within six months of graduation.

In addition, BrainStation’s Learning Management System Synapse, is among the most sophisticated on offer in Canada. The live online learning platform allows students to attend live lectures, collaborate with other professionals, and get immediate feedback from instructors — wherever they are.

Lighthouse Labs was created as an experiment in 2013 by a group of software developers with a passion for code, mentorship, and education. The school’s mission: to continuously find the best ways to train the next generation of developers and to transform the way tech education is delivered. Formerly known for its wide-reaching in-person training, Lighthouse has recently transitioned to a fully online experience in concert with the growing popularity of remote work. It is also building on its success educating the future workforce with a new data analytics bootcamp debuting in 2023, after launching one of the country’s first cybersecurity bootcamps in 2022.

Lighthouse describes itself as “outcome-obsessed,” and that philosophy translates to employment success: 90 per cent of Lighthouse grads find work within six months, bringing in an average salary of $54,638.

What Sets Lighthouse Labs Apart?

Computer programming isn’t the most diverse industry, but Lighthouse Labs has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity and accessibility to careers in the STEM fields. The school is actively involved with diversity initiatives including Women Learning to Code, the Indigenous Digital Equity Strategy Project, Digital Skills for Youth, and other programs to open doors to successful tech careers. Lighthouse also continues its commitment to offering one million dollars in needs-based scholarship funding to new students.

Lighthouse Labs continues to offer its new “Flex” model of delivery for learners seeking certification through part-time studies.

Since 2011, General Assembly has transformed and future-proofed tens of thousands of careers through experiential education in the most in-demand skills today, including software engineering, UX design, data science, data analytics, Python, React, visual design and more. Regardless of your choice, you get award-winning curriculum and expert instructors, on campus and online, a global professional community of over 40,000 full- and part-time alumni, and career results from leading-edge courses. Add in tailored mentorship each step of the way, and it’s a recipe for success that sees almost 85 per cent of grads land a job within six months.

What Sets General Assembly Apart?

In 2016, Bitmaker Labs in Toronto was acquired by U.S.-based education company General Assembly. Under General Assembly, the Toronto campus joins 30-plus others worldwide, with access to a global network of nearly 20,000 hiring partners. Bitmaker practically pioneered the free in-class workshop among Toronto-based coding bootcamps — a tradition that continues today with General Assembly.

If you need financing, GA has options. It offers multiple payment programs and savings opportunities including the “Break the Glass” diversity discount and the Catalyst program that only requires you repay tuition after landing a job earning at least $40,000.

If you can’t manage full-time, GA also offers part-time classes in front-end development, React, UX design, JavaScript and visual design. New “on-demand” self-paced learning options round on GA’s offering, providing students with greater flexibility and more ways to learn.

CareerFoundry offers mentored online courses in UX design, UI design, data analytics and full-stack web development. The Germany-based online educator began with a focus on UX design courses offered to enable beginners to become tech professionals in as little as six months with help from dedicated mentors, tutors and career specialists. And if you’re unsure which program is for you, there’s a tasting menu of free short courses to help you figure out the best fit.  According to CareerFoundry, 81 per cent of graduates land a job in their field within 180 days of graduation.

What Sets CareerFoundry Apart?

CareerFoundry’s online programs strike one of the best balances available today between live and self-paced online learning. You’ll receive 1:1 mentoring and tutoring through a live online environment, with support from a dedicated team of student advisors and career specialists. And with full-time, part-time and flexible schedules, you’ll can learn at the pace that’s best for you.

Each of CareerFoundry’s programs is backed by a job guarantee, which promises a full tuition refund if you don’t land a job within six months of graduation.

Springboard’s mission is to make 21st century skills accessible through mentor-led online courses in data science, data analytics, cybersecurity and UX/UI design. The San Francisco-based tech academy believes the ideal learning experience should be designed to fit your life’s pace with part-time online offerings and a variety of payment plans.

Springboard’s Software Engineering Career Track program is just three years old this January, but already boasts an undeniable track record of success; more than 91 per cent of graduates land a job within six months and earn an average starting salary of $75,237.

What Sets Springboard Apart?

This is an engineering bootcamp, which will push you beyond some of the front-end projects and sprints typical of other programs. As a result, it’s also singularly intensive, clocking in at nine months – yes, months – of full-stack training. Given the complexity of the program, there are a few prerequisites such as a basic grasp of JavaScript and CSS. If your skills aren’t quite there or you need a refresher, Springboard also offers a prep course to get you started.

Springboard also offers an unbeatable range of funding options, including multiple payment plans. Given its high job placement rate, Springboard also offers deferred tuition where you don’t pay until you start a job in the field, as well as a job guarantee that promises a full tuition refund if you don’t find a relevant job within six months.

The University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is among the largest providers of continuing education in Canada, with an eye-popping catalogue or more than 850 courses, including 70-plus offerings in the IT field alone. The university has partnered with edX, a U.S.-based education technology company, to deliver a variety of bootcamp programs, from coding to data analytics, digital marketing, cybersecurity and fintech.

SCS bootcamp graduates tend to flourish in the job market, with more than 89 per cent of grads finding work within six months.

What Sets the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Apart?

For a “bootcamp,” the SCS offers surprising flexibility, with a part-time option available for those want that intensive bootcamp experience but may not have the time. While the program is challenging, help is never far away; students can access 24/7 learning support via video or text chat, and 1:1 tutoring is also available. The school l has strengthened its career services too, with coaching, portfolio and resume assistance, and technical interview training, now available to all students.

At Juno College (formerly HackerYou), you’ll develop a job-ready front-end toolbox working with a supportive community that creates the school’s unique summer camp vibe. Juno promises an intimate learning experience, cutting-edge training and lifelong career support to get the most out of your experience. Nearly 80 per cent of Juno grads find work within three months, earning an average base salary of $56,160.

What Sets Juno Apart?

Juno isn’t just a trailblazer in tech training, it’s also an innovator in creative financing to put career-changing tech training within anyone’s reach. Juno was the first coding bootcamp in Canada to offer Income Share Agreements (ISAs), which allows students to pay less upfront for bootcamp tuition and only pay it back after landing a job that pays at least $50,000.

Recognizing that bootcamps and career changes can be daunting, Juno has partnered with virtual healthcare platform Maple to offer round-the-lock mental health support for students.

Montreal-based Le Wagon has established itself as a true global leader in cutting-edge bootcamps. While its web development, data science and data analytics courses are all available online, students can study live in 40 locations across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East. An entrepreneurial spirit seems to come with the Le Wagon education, as its alumni have founded more than 200 tech startups. Le Wagon students prove highly employable, with 93 per cent finding work in an average of three months, and with an average salary of $60,000.

What Sets Le Wagon Apart?

Top-notch training is highly accessible with Le Wagon. There are no prerequisites to join the bootcamp, and there are both full- and part-time options available. While it’s intensive, the small cohort of seven students and one instructor allows for plenty of personal guidance and attention. The guidance continues at the end of the program, with a career week to prep your CV, do mock interviews and meet tech experts to build valuable industry connections.

For coders looking to expand their skillset into another highly employable field, Toronto Metropolitan University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst delivers innovative and immersive training in another of the most in-demand disciplines today. The university formerly known as Ryerson is known for its career-focused and hands-on education, and its elite dual-certification cybersecurity program delivers the foundational knowledge to transform you into a double threat with a truly future-proofed career.

What sets Toronto Metropolitan University Rogers Cybersecurity Catalyst apart?

You may be learning at TMU, but the skills, training and certifications are world-leading. TMU’s flagship program Certifications for Leadership in Cybersecurity (CLIC) is delivered through a partnership with the SANS Institute, a global leader in cybersecurity training. And once you graduate, you’ll have not one but two internationally recognized SANS GIAC certifications, giving you a step up in the job search. A dedicated career support team will also help open doors with employers, providing 1:1 coaching, interview prep, recruitment connections and more.

WeCloudData continues to evolve with bootcamps focused on data science and big data knowledge — but with plenty of coding education on offer for the data engineering-inclined. The Toronto-based bootcamp bills itself as a leading data science education and career service provider in Canada, with career-focused programs in data science, data engineering, machine learning, DevOps engineering and more.

WeCloudData’s high-quality training and complex specialization translates to high job demand, with 95 per cent of graduates finding work within six months, with an average salary of $83,000.

What Sets WeCloudData Apart?

WeCloudData may not be the leading bootcamp for learning front-end development, but excels in Python, SQL and coding training for data engineers. It was one of the first bootcamps in Canada to offer advanced training in data science, and its co-founder and CEO, renowned big data expert Shaohua Zhang, still spends plenty of time in the classroom, where he consistently gets top marks for teaching. Instructor attention and intimate learning experiences are a hallmark of WeCloudData, which boasts a matchless 4:1 student-instructor ratio.

Concordia University regularly ranks among the top “young” universities; in 2021, the QS World University Rankings named Concordia as the top school under 50 years old for the third straight year.

The Montreal school bills itself as a “next-generation” university and its school of continuing education is heavily focused on tech training, with courses and programs in data science and AI, UX, cybersecurity and programming. Concordia’s emphasis on coding and computing is positioning itself to advance a Montreal tech boom.

What Sets Concordia University Continuing Education Apart?

Concordia’s focus on innovative tech training is paying dividends for students; more than 90 per cent of graduates find work within six months and enjoy an average salary of $55,000. That’s not just because of the top-notch training though; Concordia provides extensive career coaching resources to help you develop a portfolio, hone interview skills and give yourself a leg up in the job market. And with career coaches actively working in the industry, you’ll get informed and reliable prep while building valuable connections.

Product School offers a unique digital education providing career-change and upskilling certifications in the growing field of digital product management and leadership. Since 2014, the San Francisco-based academy has delivered flexible product management and corporate training that covers the end-to-end product lifecycle: strategy, customer development, design and product launch.

What sets Product School Apart?

If you’re in the market for product management courses, you’ll know many schools tout their industry experts, but Product School definitely walks the talk: all its instructors are real-world product leaders at some of the top digital companies today, including Google, Meta, Uber, Amazon and Adobe. And with an average class size of just 14 students, you’re ensured plenty of personal attention and learning support from some of the brightest minds in the industry.

If you’re not ready to enrol, the school also offers a wide range of free micro-certifications and downloadable resources to sharpen your skills and continue learning. A thriving Slack community of over 100,000 members presents a great opportunity to find support and develop your network.

Since its founding in 2014, Data Science Dojo has become a top platform in “big data” education, delivering some of the most comprehensive bootcamps in the industry. The U.S.-based tech academy has helped more than 10,000 students develop job-ready skills in data science, data analytics, machine learning and other key facets of the “sexiest job of the 21^st century.” Students can upskill and develop their data toolbox in fully online part-time programs or intensive in-person courses delivered in Seattle, Austin, New York City and Washington, D.C.

What sets Data Science Dojo Apart?

DSD’s motto is “data science for everyone” and its bootcamp is open even to complete beginners with no data background. The pre-bootcamp coursework provides a detailed tutorial on R Programming to get you up to speed.

The program is financially accessible too. DSD offers a wide variety of payment plans and financing options, including interest-free loans and a deferred option where you only start repaying after you’ve completed the training program. The data science practicum program is a standout offering, giving you real-world experience and a financing plan that only requires repayment once you land a job.

Since its founding in 2008, CodeCore College has developed a reputation as a preeminent proving ground for the future leaders of Vancouver’s technology ecosystem. CodeCore delivers training in some of the most in-demand tech skills today, including cybersecurity, DevOps, Elixir and advanced web app development, among others. Programming newbies are also welcome, as Codecore offers a programming fundamentals course to teach you the basics. A new Calgary campus slated to open in February 2023 will provide training opportunities in another dynamic Canadian market.

Codecore’s curriculum provides a leg up in the job market, as 96 per cent of graduates find work within three months.

What Sets CodeCore Apart?

If you’re interested in learning full-stack web development, CodeCore offers training across a breadth of programming languages in an intensive study environment; training time averages 30 hours per week, with homework and projects on top. To promote diversity in the tech field, CodeCore offers $500 scholarship to female students upon enrolment in the full-time coding bootcamp.