The explorer
Still deciding whether technology is for you. Short discovery modules, a mentor who answers the questions school does not cover, and no pressure to commit to a track.
For mentees
The way to begin. The way forward.
From adolescence, teens and onward to adulthood, the approach to a career or entrepreneurship path is long, necessary and enduring. Every mentee gets an experienced mentor to help along the way — and the resources to remove the barriers that usually end the journey early.
What you get
Education reimagined, because good enough was not
During the time of COVID we thought good enough was not. Our online education platform prepares mentees through self-paced learning, small group classes and speaker sessions, offering a space to discover, explore and master technical knowledge and leadership skills.
Our programme is about educating mentees and demonstrating new and advanced technologies that youth and adults can actualise, understand, and know that they are the builders of today and the future.
- Six tracks: software, hardware, robotics, AI/ML, cybersecurity and XR
- Cohorts capped at fourteen — you will be missed if you do not show up
- A named mentor with a written plan, not a Slack channel
- Stipends, hardware loans and connectivity support where needed
- Interview rehearsal and warm introductions through Pipelines
Who this is for
Four starting points, one programme
The starter
Ready to enter the workforce. A full track, a graded capstone, interview rehearsal and introductions to partner teams with open requisitions.
The pivoter
Already working, but not in technology. Evening-weighted cohorts, credit for transferable skills, and a plan that assumes you cannot quit your job to retrain.
The founder
You have an idea and some technical ability. Start in a track, then apply to Shipyards Pioneer when your problem statement holds up.
Choose a track
Six disciplines, twelve to twenty-four weeks each
Hardware & Software Training
Systems fundamentals, Linux, networking, version control, two programming languages and the deployment pipeline that turns code into a running service.
Robotic Training
Kinematics, sensors, actuators and control loops, taught on real hardware in the lab and on simulators at home.
Artificial Intelligence
Statistics, classical machine learning, deep learning and the evaluation discipline that keeps a model honest once it leaves the notebook.
Cyber Security
Defensive and offensive fundamentals, threat modelling, incident response and a quarterly live range exercise against a scored scenario.
Extended Reality
Spatial computing, 3D pipelines and interaction design for headsets and handhelds.
Soft Skill & Pioneer Development
Communication, written argument, estimation, conflict, negotiation and the entrepreneurial habits that separate a contributor from a leader.
A typical week
Six to ten hours, arranged around your life
4 hours
Self-paced coursework and exercises, completed whenever you can.
2 hours
Small group lab with your cohort and a facilitator. Recorded if you miss it.
1 hour
Mentor session, every other week, with an agenda and written actions.
1 hour
Optional speaker session or open office hours with the track lead.
Apply
Mentee application
There is no entrance exam and no degree requirement. We want to understand your goals, the hours you actually have, and what you have already tried to learn on your own.
Support is part of the application
If unreliable internet, a missing laptop or an unpaid month would make this impossible, say so in the last field. Stipends and hardware loans exist precisely for that, and asking does not weaken your application.
$0
Cost to accepted mentees
0
Maximum cohort size
Want to see what you would be learning?
Every module, assessment and rubric is published. Read it before you commit a year.