Kyla Bolden

Updated March 2024

Schools struggle to equip students with technology skills for the future

In 1999, two thirds of kids in grade school were predicted to grow up to jobs that didn’t yet exist. By 2017, that proportion was closer to 85 percent.

The pace of technological change puts schools and other traditional learning venues under increasing pressure to prepare students for the work world they will inhabit. Yet schools struggle to keep up with, design, and fund academic initiatives, leaving many students without access to these critical skills.

“I got a computer at the age of seven and I was always playing video games,” says Wiz Kid Learning founder Kyla Bolden. “By ten, I had taught myself a bit of coding.”

She was disappointed that her school offered no programs to advance her passion. “It was easy for my parents to find amazing coaches and support for my track hobby, but when it came to technology, there was nothing for me.” This lack of resources and support led Kyla to conclude that it made no sense to pursue her interest in technology in a structured way–a missed opportunity for her and a loss for the future workforce.

Wiz Kid Learning brings technology learning to kids everywhere

When, as a university student, Kyla helped start an organization to get women and minorities corporate jobs, she discovered that those with a coding background got hired more quickly. She launched Wiz Kid Learning to fill the market need she had identified.

The company shrinks the tech education gap with an adaptable online learning platform that provides live courses covering topics like coding, artificial intelligence, game design, animation, and entrepreneurship. Wiz Kid aims to give kids access to STEM education, regardless of location or demographics, so they can create technology to positively shape their communities.

Most classes are taught remotely, and many of the students Wiz Kid serves have learning challenges such as being on the autism spectrum. For those kids, Kyla says, “We craft a personalized education so they're able to have autonomy over what they're learning.”

In a school setting, classes take place digitally but a live instructor is always present. Between class times, students can take advantage of the platform’s “learning boosts” to re-engage with the subject or work on supplementary projects.

Equity in the tech industry is good for everyone

Wiz Kid has educated more than 8,000 kids from about 30 countries; almost half are female.

In 2023, the company initiated partnerships to serve underserved communities that want to empower students but don’t have the staff to teach coding and technical skills. “Close to 80 percent of our students don't have to pay for the courses because their school or organization pays,” Kyla says.

She goes on to articulate her company’s ultimate vision. “I want to make sure that the tech industry is more diverse. We want to make sure that we are promoting equity in this space because everyone deserves to be here–and because technology drives our world.”