Why retrain to become a front-end programmer?

‍What do you do as a front-end developer?

A front-end developer is responsible for implementing visual elements that users see and interact with in a web application. For example, everything you see on a website, such as texts, colors, images, buttons, etc. So, as a front-end developer, you're creating something that you'll see results quickly. Front-end developers, also known as front-end programmers or front-end web developers, are usually supported by back-end web developers. They are responsible for the 'back' of websites, such as databases, the logic of various applications on the server and the integration of the work of the front-end developers.

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As a non-IT specialist, why is it fun to be retrained to become a front-end developer?

We asked several front-end developers who have also been retrained. The most common answers:

• It is a very dynamic and modern work environment;
• You make things that are visually tangible: you quickly see the results of what you make;
• It's nice to be able to show people what you do as a web developer in a very concrete way;
• Javascript is the most used programming language, which is where most of the development and change is taking place;
• It's very visual, tangible, you can see what you're doing right away, which makes it extra fun.

Why first front-end and then (possibly) back-end learning?

Back-end learning is very abstract; front-end is more accessible to get into if you come from another field. You'll get the hang of it faster, partly because what you make is visually tangible. You build things that you also have to deal with as a non-developer. Everyone knows what a button does on a website, not everyone is familiar with databases, etc. That makes it easier and more concrete.

Maybe you want to make that career switch to a job in IT because you:

• A creative job that you really enjoy;
• Wants to earn more;
• Looking for a better work-life balance;
• Want a future-proof job;
• Want to make a difference with your job.

As a front-end programmer, the opportunities are up for grabs

All of the above reasons for making the switch come together in the job as a front-end developer. It's fun, creative, makes good money, the work-life balance is generally good, you have a future-proof job and can work somewhere where you make a difference. In addition, there is currently a major mismatch between supply and demand in the labor market. There are around 20,000 IT vacancies and 70% of these vacancies are difficult to fill. Of these, 5,000 are open vacancies as front-end developers. While 50% of the current jobs will no longer exist in a few years, precisely because of IT and automation. That means that if you retrain, there are great opportunities there.

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The first step to learning how to program as a front-end developer

Do you want to try out if you like programming or do you want to experience Winc Academy's teaching method? Then do the training Web Development. You'll learn the first steps in programming from our enthusiastic teachers. Together with people who, like you, want to discover whether being a programmer is right for them. And with concrete results: after the training, you can build your own website!