[agjacobson]

Coding is a very complex skill. The success probability in going from zero coding experience to being a self-starting coder is a bet I wouldn't take except out of pure friendship or charity.

There are two problems. If you substitute "gardening" above for "coding," my statement is still true. The second is the nature of learning exercises. We all know that a real problem to solve generates motivation that is much more valuable than, and can self-generate syntax and algorithm knowledge.

With all the free tools, free courses, and free pdfs around, I wouldn't try to train someone who is not already brimming with questions generated by real frustration.