[cm2012]

I think these courses are the step right before "- Validate that they have the skills to be an apprentice.". If I were going to train someone, I would want it to be someone with the chutzpah to do self directed learning for a period of time.

[terryp]

Totally agree. It's the great 'sword in the stone' methodology that shows if someone has the skill and ability to become a developer. But this is why I think you need both these kinds of sites/programs but also compliment them with some of your own organization's ethos of developing talent.