Nizhny Novgorod launches School 21: IT education hub and job readiness

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Registration has begun for School 21 in Nizhny Novgorod, a program launched through a collaboration between Sber and the regional government. The bank’s press service confirmed the milestone, highlighting a concerted effort to bring advanced IT training closer to residents in the area. The initiative marks a notable step in expanding access to high-demand tech education within the city and across the region.

Alexander Anashchenko, the Chairman of Sberbank’s Volga-Vyatka Bank, described Nizhny Novgorod as a model region where government leadership actively connects top technology firms, startup teams, and educational projects. This collaborative approach helps build a world-class IT hub that can attract talent, foster innovation, and support local economic growth. Stakeholders emphasize that the ecosystem thrives when government, business, and academia share a clear, long-term vision for digital skills and regional development.

Speaking about the program, Anashchenko noted that the partnership offers significant opportunities for local residents and talented young people to pursue in-demand specializations and build meaningful IT careers in their own hometowns. Graduates of School 21 typically enter roles such as programmers, development engineers, IT project managers, analysts, and software developers. Remarkably, many receive job offers even before completing the program, illustrating the strong demand for fresh IT talent in the region and the practicality of the curriculum for immediate employment.

Gleb Nikitin, the regional governor, stated that IT is becoming a primary driver of economic momentum for the Nizhny Novgorod region. Since 2018, he noted, the IT sector’s contribution to gross regional product has risen to about 5 percent, underscoring the sector’s growing importance. The governor reinforces the idea that tech-driven growth requires a steady supply of skilled professionals and a robust educational framework to sustain momentum over time.

Nikitin also highlighted the strategy behind building a modern IT education ecosystem in the region. School 21 is described as a pivotal component of this system, intended to operate at a high standard to maximize outcomes for learners. The administration’s plan focuses on aligning classroom experiences with industry needs, ensuring that students gain practical knowledge, hands-on project exposure, and clear pathways into the job market. This approach aims to create a reliable pipeline of capable IT specialists who can contribute to both local firms and regional initiatives.

The final admission stage for School 21 is slated to open in December 2024, with space for around 200 participants. This intake is designed to balance selectivity with opportunity, giving a wide pool of applicants a chance to join an evolving program. Throughout the intake process, prospective students undergo a rigorous assessment designed to identify drive, aptitude, and readiness for intensive technical study. Those who advance into the foundation training will build a strong base in essential programming languages and related disciplines.

During the foundational phase, learners will acquire proficiency in core programming languages such as C, C++, Java, C#, Python, and Go. They will also develop competencies in DevOps practices, database management, and networking fundamentals. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, project-based learning, and collaborative work, mirroring real-world IT environments. Over a period spanning one and a half to three years, participants are guided through a structured progression that prepares them for professional success in diverse IT roles, from development and analysis to systems integration and project leadership.

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