Overview of Training

This cornerstone training program is designed for you if you are determined to become a skilled Python Developer and a respected member of a modern software development team. It provides you with enough Python coding practice and theoretical knowledge to pass the Python Institute’s Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP) exam. It also teaches you the soft skills employers look for in job applicants. Upon completing the training, you are ready to start a successful new career in Python software development.

Python programming can’t be learned in a bootcamp, and it can’t be learned in a few weeks by passively watching video tutorials and then doing some coding exercises on your own. It is an advanced skill set which can only be mastered with a significant amount of closely supervised practice. NCLab’s proven training method is called Instructor-Assisted Learning By Doing. You learn actively from Day 1, using Python to solve very simple tasks. After gaining confidence in one topic, you move to the next one. The progression has been constantly improved and tuned for many years, and it is so smooth that you never get lost. And, you are never alone. Our highly responsive instructional support team composed of Python coding professionals, college instructors, and former NCLab trainees stands by to promptly assist you with the coursework if needed.

The Python Developer career training program takes approximately 320 hands-on hours. You are assigned a coach who prepares a personalized roadmap and training timeline for you, and then works with you for the entire duration of the training. Because your training is self-paced and individualized to your schedule, you are able to build a consistent training routine with your coach that does not interfere with your work and family commitments.

Coursework

To begin with, Python is used to solve real-life problems, therefore Python developers must know a limited amount of math. If in consultation with your coach, it is determined that you need a basic middle school level math refresher, our optional Workplace Math course provides hands-on review and practice to bring you up to speed. In small and simple steps, you review how to work with whole and decimal numbers, fractions, percentages, proportions, simple and compound interest, unit conversions, and solve simple workplace-related math problems. This course includes several ACT WorkKeys Applied Math practice exams, and after completing it, you are ready to take the ACT WorkKeys Applied Math exam. This industry-wide certification is highly valued by employers, and we recommend to all our trainees to obtain it.

With an appropriate math foundation in place, you proceed to Computational Literacy. This course is waived if you have significant prior computer programming experience, but many experienced programmers like to take it anyway as a refresher. This course teaches computational thinking which is the most important skill in computer programming. Yes, it is more important than the knowledge of the details of a specific programming language. Namely, without computational thinking skills, learning any programming language has little value. In this visual course you write programs in simplified Python syntax for a virtual robot to solve various tasks. In this way you learn how to design algorithms and type code, identify repeating patterns, and use loops to repeat commands and sequences of commands. You also learn Boolean logic, conditional statements, conditional loops, how to define custom commands and functions, and how to break complex problems into simpler ones. Finally, you learn how to use recursion and stochastic algorithms (algorithms that involve randomness) to solve tasks that would be very difficult or impossible to solve otherwise. Taking this course puts you in an excellent position to start learning Python.

Your actual Python training then begins with Introduction to Python. This course provides a detailed and comprehensive overview of the Python programming language. You learn Python by solving programming problems of gradually increasing complexity, using simple calculations, loops, conditions, local and global variables, functions, exceptions, and recursion. You also become proficient in working with fundamental Python data structures, including tuples, lists, and dictionaries. Throughout the course, you are developing a good Python coding style and other good coding habits.

More than 80% of work computers do is processing text. Therefore, in the course Working With Text in Python, you learn how to process, analyze, and manipulate text strings with Python.

Python is known for its powerful graphic capabilities. In the course Plotting and Drawing with Python, you learn how to use the powerful Python library Matplotlib for plotting and drawing.

At this time, you are ready to embark on Software Project 1, where you build your own Graphics Editor, based on Matplotlib. The Graphics Editor is able to create shapes such as squares, triangles, rectangles and circles, fill objects with color, move, scale and rotate shapes, and combine them to make complex drawings. In addition to substantial programming practice, this Software Project provides you with a valuable insight into the principles of good software design.

Most data is stored in files. Therefore, the course Working with Files in Python teaches you how to open files, read data from them, process the data, and write to files.

In Software Project 2 you build your own Image Viewer in Python. The Image Viewer is able to read bitmap images from files, store them as 2D Numpy arrays, and visualize them with Matplotlib. In this Software Project you practice working with files, text strings, and the Numpy and Matplotlib libraries.

The world we live in is driven by data. Therefore, the course Data Visualization with Python teaches you how to visualize data in the form of simple graphs, bar charts, pie charts, color maps, surface plots, wireframe plots, and contour plots. You also learn how to visualize data on 2D Cartesian grids and unstructured triangulations.

Most real-life applications of Python are to some extent related to Data Analytics (DA). Therefore, the DA Minimum course teaches you how to use the Pandas library and perform elementary Data Analytics with Python.

Every Python developer must know the basics of Computer Science (CS) including the binary, octal, and hexadecimal numeral systems. These are also required for the PCEP exam. That’s exactly what you learn in the course CS Minimum.

The PCEP Prep course includes several PCEP practice exams and prepares you to score high on the PCEP exam. PCEP is an industry-recognized certification from the Python Institute that will add a significant weight to your resume. You are encouraged to take the PCEP exam before starting to work on your Capstone Project.

Finally, you complete a Capstone Project where you choose one of two options:

• Option 1: Look up open source projects on Github, find one that you like, and contribute to it by submitting a pull request. Your contribution must be consulted and approved by your NCLab instructor in advance.
• Option 2: Implement your own program in Python and upload it to Github. The topic of your program is chosen by you, but must be consulted and approved by your NCLab instructor in advance. Typically, a more substantial program is required compared to Option 1.

In both cases you are required to create a free Github user account, and to install a Python IDE on your own computer or laptop (we’ll help you with that).

Advanced Python Developer Training

Upon completing the Python Developer Training, trainees can either get jobs as entry-level Python developers or continue by taking a follow-up Advanced Python Developer Training. This training program includes object-oriented programming, event-driven programming, advanced topics in Python, and a PCAP Prep Course that prepares trainees for the Python Institute’s PCAP exam. More information is available upon request.

Developing Soft Skills

At the same time as you develop Python programming (hard) skills, during your coaching sessions and during your communications with your instructional support team you also develop soft skills that employers put a major emphasis on. These include professional communication, time management, critical and logical thinking, problem solving, perseverance, and adaptability, among others.

What Our Trainees Say About Us

Elizabeth Boyd Howard College, San Angelo, Texas

I am having too much fun with the 3D Modeling course, and I can see uses for it particularly in Developmental Math courses for students who are visual learners and possibly College algebra! Glad I went to ISTE and took the class!!

Ramakrishna Bodapati Linwood, NJ

Amazing tools. There are many other tools but these three courses and modules are very well planned and there is synergy between them.

Alison Mclin Westmont High School, Campbell, CA

I’ve taught with Karel for 6 years now. This is no dull programming course! The activities are increasingly rigorous and students find the colorful graphics and story lines highly engaging. It’s the perfect tiptoe into industry-standard programming languages. The NCLab team are highly professional, knowledgeable and accommodating. I’ve used several other online curricula and return to Karel every time.

Jan Walker White Pine Middle School, Ely, NV

I am pretty excited that the students are really getting “into” this in the middle school now. Next year I will have a group of students who were in 5th grade classes with me last year and did all the nclab stuff. They stop me around town and talk to me about it often and wish they were in a class. I am excited to see how this is growing. Some students want to finish all the Karel and all the 3D and everything they can get their hands on.

Claudia Bertolone-Smith Minden Elementary School

We are on the Karel course and the kids are LOVING it! The room is full of excited energy and thinking!!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with kids. You are making a difference in their lives!!

Jennifer Jones Dilworth STEM Academy

Karel the Robot is an exciting and addictive computer programming game for scholars at Dilworth, it actually gets them excited about math! Doing Karel is different from the every-day computations and inquiry problems. NCLab gives scholars an idea as to what is possible for their futures.

Glenda Billingsley Las Vegas Clark county Library District

I think you guys are simply unbelievably amazing. You are the voice of relevance for libraries, community education, innovation, tech, cross generational learning and more for the 21st century!! Thank you for all you are doing. It’s mind blowing.

Valerie Warren Children’s Services Department Head

I conducted my first class last week. The next two classes are booked full. All the kids surveyed said they would continue using NCLab at home. They also liked the buttons. They all wanted their certificates printed out, and we gave them file folders for their “Coding Portfolio.” They all said they would come back for more classes as well.

Claudia Maureen Melton Youth Services Department Head

Everyone is learning when they use NCLab. The kids, teens, librarians and parents are all involved in solving the problems. It creates an all-round, inclusive learning environment.

Elaine Brown Parent

Girls like my daughter Ella are not interested in creating games. She’s more motivated to create a different type of “product”. She learned more in 2 days at your camp then in her 7th grade tech class.

Christine Adams Parent

Your camp was amazing!! My son doesn’t want to put the computer down. It’s much better than his previous focus on video games. He loves the skills you have taught him!! It was a perfect end to winter break. Thank you!!

Robin Bort Parent

Galen came home and worked a bit more on his programming. He is definitely hooked! He was describing the things he learned to his dad during dinner tonight, and was so animated and excited! It’s wonderful to find something to interest him besides Legos, and school is boring 🙂

Rosa McVey Student

The Karel course works differently from Scratch – it has all the fun but gives me the real programming skills I need for Python and C++ programming.

Gwen Biebinger Student

I think that the Karel course is VERY GOOD. It’s more challenging the higher you go, but that makes it more fun.

Ravi Balsa Student

I have found NCLab’s Karel course to be an excellent introduction to programming. The course emphasizes logic and algorithmic thinking but conceals it in a fun and approachable game. It is better than Codecademy, Treehouse or any other commercial site I’ve found. Highly recommended!

Megan Reder Parent

My son is now so excited about building his 3D model of a plane that he now wants to go to the computer lab to sit with his face to the screen instead of running around playing tag with his friends…. Thanks NCLab!

I love my new job!

“My boss encouraged me to take the training and now I’m really glad I did because I’m now doing data analytics work full time.” L.L.

I love going to work every day!

“Thank you for giving me the competency and confidence that I needed to get a dream job. With my limited formal education, I had serious doubts that I could master SQL and Python but learning by doing worked perfectly.” G.K.

William Jordan Teacher

I tell all my robotic teacher colleagues how great Karel is with introducing students to coding for their robotic classes.

The format of this class has been extremely helpful Student

“Having never dealt with Linear Algebra, the format of this class has been extremely helpful in my success as a student. Being able to tackle the class at my own pace, collaborate with peers, and receive direct help from the professor in real time has been an invaluable experience.” M. N.

Perfect teaching method

“As an adult with a busy schedule and the need to work around banking business hours etc.: this method of teaching is perfect for me and I would recommend it for basically anyone on any subject.” F. V.

I’m really excited

“I’m feeling very good about the course so far, I’m really excited, I’ve been able to apply some of the concepts to my research already!” M. L

I am getting A’s now

“This math class was a huge help for me, specifically because of how it was taught and its layout it allowed me to go at my own pace. The system that this class uses makes it much easier to understand and visualize the problems and examples given to you. In my last math classes I was an average student, getting B’s and C’s on tests, but because I can learn at my own pace I am getting A’s on my tests now.” T.B.

So useful to me

“The course is so useful to me! I will go through the majority of the contents between now and February as I’m teaching the course within the same period.” T. A.

Challenging and fun

“This course feels like more of a challenge rather than a class, a lot more fun!” J. S.

Great flexibility

“I love the self-taught aspect of the course supplemented by the teacher. Instruction is excellent. The flexibility is superb.” A. R.

Well organized

“The feature I find most beneficial about this course format is that the notes are always one click away so I don’t need to keep track of writing down my own notes. I also like how we are able to learn at our own pace.” A. L.

Straight to the point

“The most beneficial parts of this hands on course is the ability to access the instructor and the strait-to-the-point lecture and side notes.” E. M.

Pacing is just right

“The format of the course ensures that I am learning what I need to before moving onto the next section. I can learn at my own pace and find supplemented instruction as needed. In many of my previous math courses I have had to spend time at home relearning the material. I really enjoy this format.” M.S.

Superb way to learn

“I really enjoyed the self-paced format of this training program. The material was presented clearly and concisely and allowed me to focus longer on concepts that were difficult, while glancing over concepts I was already familiar with.” A.C.

I really learned a lot

“I really learned a lot and have found a new passion towards data science and analytics I didn’t know I had.” M.N.

This is how I like to learn

“This is how I like to learn, at my own pace. I like the bite-sized tutorials and I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I complete the exercises that follow them.” M.J.

Totally worth it

“I just completed 3 courses: SQL Fundamentals, Advanced SQL, and Predictive Data Analytics with Python within the estimated hours that they had advised. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it!” Q.B

Great training!

“I watched videos, read short tutorials, viewed examples, ran demo programs, and then performed exercises that demonstrated my comprehension of the subject matter.” S.L.

I’m enjoying this course a lot

“The problem I have in most classes is that I tend to fall asleep during lectures, so being able to learn at my own pace while I’m most awake is a blessing.” F. T.

Brian LaTorre Sparks High School

Every school in our district will eventually have NCLab because of its capabilities, because of how well students relate to it, and because of the overall good it does for the students

Linda Niday Jacks Valley Elementary School

My computer club started with 17 kids and now it has 25. The NCLab coding program has been absolutely the most popular club I have ever done.

Bill Jordan Mont'Kiara International School

I love using Karel from NCLab in my middle school STEM (MYP Design) robotics course in Kuala Lumpur. My students learn coding in NCLab and then, after each lesson, they make a game to share with each other. They love being authors of games after each daily lesson. It is way cool to learn logical programming skills using Karel in NCLab and then transition to building real robot prototypes. Karel is a fantastic online programming class with all the support material to make a teacher’s life easy and enjoyable.

Craig Ham Westminster Schools of Augusta

Our school has been using NCLab’s Karel Coding course for many years, and we have been very happy with it. One of the unique features of Karel that our students love is the ability to create their own games as they are given full access to the pallets of Obstacles, Treasures and Bad Items. For teachers the data reports generate volumes of details for each unit, to include time spent, number of attempts, level scores and quiz scores. I can’t speak highly enough of this method of introducing beginners to computer programming.

The training is really great!

“Not easy but really informative. Practical experience was what I wanted and I feel that I got it.” F. Z.

Easier time learning

“The format of your Linear Algebra (MATH330) class using NCLab lets me have an easier time learning the material than in other courses. Thank you for having the class set up using this tool.” M.S.

The program is great

“I cannot compliment enough any training that involves students actually working on the problems rather than just listening.” A. S.

This class has turned that around…

“I have really enjoyed the course so far, and based on my test score this is the most successful I have been in a math course since high school. I would not call other classes I have had difficult but simply unengaging, and this class has turned that around.” Y. M.

Compliments to the NCLab team

“Please extend my compliments to the NCLab team if you can, and keep advocating for this type of learning, if at the very least as an option for people like me who learn well this way.” F. A.

Online delivery method that helps

“I didn’t speak up very much in class, but the online delivery method of the material really helped me learn it well!” S. T.

You do a great job explaining the concepts

“So far I’m enjoying the course. You do a great job explaining the concepts and the logic behind each step (the explanation for the difference between WHERE and HAVING comes to mind)!” R. C.

I’m really enjoying this class

“The emphasis on working at your own pace removes the stress of a normal class, and I can work around my other classes. NCLab is much better than similar programs, such as DataCamp. Not only do I learn the material, I retain it. Each lesson uses all or most of the previous concepts, which provides additional practice and ensures that you don’t forget the previous material. This is one of the most enjoyable and informative programs I’ve taken.” N. L.

NCLab has allowed me to excel in this class

“The quizzes after each section combined with the retakes and the practice problems with solutions make learning the material easy and engaging. I struggle with mental and learning difficulties (anxiety and ADHD) and the fact that the coursework is separated into sections with the quizzes with the retakes really helps. I cannot praise this program enough for how it has helped me process the material even in remote learning.” K.S.

I really feel like I learned a lot

“I only really worked with matrices when doing differential equations, so this was my first exposure to the full extent of their potential. I found the most interesting parts of the course being those that relate to real-world applications of linear equations such as discussing ways to save memory with compression and truncation. I really liked the last two sections, and I feel like it’s a shame that those were optional because they really feel like they help hammer in what we’ve already learned whilst addressing how it’s typically done with technology.” T. S.

It’s working well

“It might sound weird, but I feel as though it teaches the right parts for Python. When I was learning Python before, there were a lot of steps that felt skipped but are explained now.” P.T.

I am thoroughly enjoying the training

“I feel like I am learning a skill, much more than I felt in other courses. The use of repetition, doing programming in pieces, and the entire way the platform is laid out are far superior to how my university teaches their main, introductory, programming courses. It is too bad that the philosophy of academia is standing in its own way.” K.L.

I love it!

“I feel like I am actually LEARNING how to program, and the chunking method of the material is wonderful.” D.A.

I have used a tutor before

“I do have to tell you, this is the first upper-level math class that I have not needed a tutor for.” M. T.

Yes!!

“I am really enjoying this course and learning python and I also like the way that it teaches the material. I’m very glad I took this course!” R. B.

Students have a choice

“It made me think that perhaps we should present our courses a bit differently. Not as a replacement for traditional instruction, but as something which gives students a choice. The self-paced learn-by-doing materials are so good that students have a choice, to either sit in lectures or to study successfully on their own.” J. S.

Large amount of Python programming practice

“I really enjoyed and found the Python Fundamentals and Advanced Python courses incredibly useful. In fact, the large amount of Python programming practice questions in both courses helped me obtain my summer software development internship at Pfizer by preparing me for a variety of programming interview questions.” F. F.

One of my most engaging courses

“The Computational Literacy For Modern Careers course offered by NCLab was one of the most engaging courses I took. I particularly enjoyed how interactive the course was. I found myself thinking about the lessons in my free time, trying to walk through problems in my head so that I would be ready for more difficult material when I logged back in. It was the perfect balance of challenging and rewarding. NCLab made computer programming approachable, which was especially helpful for me, since I had very little prior experience with coding.”  — F.E.

I’m in control of my pace of learning.

“NCLab allows you to work at your own pace which makes learning easier. It also deals with a lot of hands-on learning and practicing writing code which has made me a more confident computer programmer. Overall NCLab is a great program.” — A.S.

It taught me the basics of algorithmic thinking.

“The course is set up in such a way that it’s actually enjoyable to progress through the sections and try to figure out the best way to do things. Despite learning so much, I always felt like I was playing a puzzle game rather than learning how to think like a computer.” — W.C.

I didn’t think learning could be fun until now.

“The methodology of this course taught me to code though a game that required me to bring the robot home through a maze using programming principles. It was an incredibly fun and helpful way to learn the material.” – DD

The idea of coding used to give me a lot of anxiety.

“The NCLab Computational Literacy for Modern Careers course that I am currently taking has made me want to pursue a career in coding. The course goes in depth on what goes into the code instead of making the students memorize everything. The idea of coding used to give me a lot of anxiety, but now I am only wanting to learn more.” — K.A.

Try Our Training — We’re Confident You’ll Love It!

We have a powerful free self-assessment tool that helps you determine whether you are a natural to become a Python Developer, using our learn-by-doing career training program. Fill in a Get-In-Touch form with the word “assessment” and we’ll make it available to you right away.

There will never be a better time to start your training.