Using information that has been confirmed by multiple sources or has not been directly contradicted by others, Henry Kronk describes how Mined Minds came to be. He interviews Joseph McKenzie, who participated in the first run of the coding bootcamp and has gone on to lead a successful career in tech. McKenzie's experience stands in stark contrast with later students who say that Mined Minds over-promised and under-delivered.

Episode 2: From the Beginning

In the Appalachia region of the U.S., a region once dominated by the coal industry, mines have continued to close one after another. In answer, two tech consultants have established a free coding bootcamp called Mined Minds to retrain out of work coal miners and others for work in tech. What they promise seems like it could improve the socioeconomic status of communities around the world. 

But some believe they aren’t as beneficial as they come off. Several ex-learners have criticized the bootcamp, saying they were promised employment upon completion of the program and were fired days later. Others have filed a class action lawsuit against them on charges of fraud. Code Burst investigates Mined Minds, their efficacy, and whether their model can work for others.

Code Burst is produced as a collaboration between CKUT 90.3 FM and eLearning Inside News.

Technology

In the Appalachia region of the U.S., a region once dominated by the coal industry, mines have continued to close one after another. In answer, two tech consultants have established a free coding bootcamp called Mined Minds to retrain out of work coal miners and others for work in tech. What they promise seems like it could improve the socioeconomic status of communities around the world. But some believe they aren’t as beneficial as they come off. Several ex-learners have criticized the bootcamp, saying they were promised employment upon completion of the program and were fired days later. Others have filed a class action lawsuit against them on charges of fraud. Code Burst investigates Mined Minds, their efficacy, and whether their model can work for others. Code Burst is produced as a collaboration between CKUT 90.3 FM and eLearning Inside News.

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Episode 2: From the Beginning

Episode 2: From the Beginning