Google, Bertelsmann and Udacity have announced a joint initiative intended to closing the mobile digital skills gap in Europe with scholarships for Udacity Android courses.

Google's announcement, from Matt Brittin, VP Sales and Operation, Northern and Central Europe, explains the background:

In Europe, more than half the population primarily uses their mobile phone to access the web, and that’s only increasing. This represents a huge opportunity for ambitious Europeans to join the more than 1.3 million developers in the region benefiting from the advancement of the mobile economy. According to Stackoverflow 2015 study, 42% of developers are self taught and could benefit from acquiring new expertise to take them to the next level. Android tops the list of new languages that developers want to learn.

Matt Brittin continues:

We want to help, which is why we’re funding 10,000 Android Developer training scholarships across the EU via Udacity. Aspiring developers can apply for one of 9,000 scholarships for an Android Basics course and more experienced programmers for one of 1,000 scholarships for the Associate Android Developer Fast Track, a training course that leads to Android developer certification, a key credential for the industry. Applications are open at https://www.udacity.com/google-scholarships.

Bertelsmann is a global media, services and education company that includes Penguin Random House, RTL Group, Europe's largest broadcaster and the leading European media company in online video, Gruner + Jahr which publishes Stern, Brigitte, National Geographic and many more titles in over 20 countries,  music publisher BMG and global business process outsourcing provider Avarto plus its Bertelsmann Printing, Education and Investment arms.  Its contribution to the initiative is to:

start shifting skill-building and training budgets across its about 1,000 businesses towards ICT, in conjunction with Udacity’s training programs. Also, Bertelsmann employs about 2,000 young women and men enrolled in apprenticeship, degree or trainee programs across Europe. Starting next year, those qualified and in relevant fields of study will receive a Nanodegree scholarship. 

On the Udacity site there are details of the two scholarship options with the important deadline and eligibility requirements:

• Apply by December 18th, 2016. Scholarships will be awarded January 5, 2017.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and resident in one of the 28 EU countries or 4 EFTA countries. 

The Android Beginner path (with 9,000 places available) is 3-month access to Android Basics: User Interface with support from Udacity Mentors and the top 1,000 students will receive an additional 3-month scholarship to the Android Basics Nanodegree Program.

The Android Programmer path (with 1,000 places available) is a full scholarship for the Associate Android Developer Fast Track with the fee for the Associate Android Developer Exam (list price $149 and currently $99 as part of an initial launch offer) included.

The recently launched Fast Track program is for developers with at least 1-2 years Java experience and normally costs $750 for three months of access. 

The application form, there is single one covering both paths, takes into account other Udacity courses you have enrolled in, asks for your experience with Java and Android development (multiple choice answers), if you've taken related classes and how much time you can give to learning Android development. It also lets you link your LinkedIn, Github and developer community. There are two blank boxes to complete about what you want to get out of the program in terms of your personal and professional goals and why you think you should receive a scholarship.  

I imagine this offer will be over subscribed and that it will be a lively program to be accepted into with plenty of highly motivated learners.

More Information

EU Google Scholarships

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