Something isn’t working in tech education. Despite countless boot camps, certifications, and training programs, companies struggle to find truly job-ready talent. The gap between learning and doing remains stubbornly wide.
We have been approaching tech talent development backwards expecting professionals to learn on the job but requiring them to have experience before they get that job. This paradox has created a bottleneck in tech talent development, holding back individuals and organisations.
Traditional education models assume that knowledge automatically translates to capability. But in the fast-moving tech industry, theory without practice is like trying to learn to swim by reading a book. As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, this disconnect has only grown more pronounced.
At Darey.io, we have seen firsthand how real-world experience transforms theoretical knowledge into practical capability.
This insight led to the development of Xterns, a platform that reimagines tech talent development by making experience central to the learning process. Instead of treating experience as something gained after education, Xterns enables learners to gain practical skills during their training.
Think about how pilots train. They don’t start by flying actual planes – they use sophisticated simulators that replicate real conditions. Why should tech training be any different? Through Xterns, we have created "flight simulators" for tech careers. Learners work on real-world projects, tackle actual challenges, and receive mentorship from industry veterans.
They make mistakes, learn from them, and develop solutions in a safe environment that mirrors workplace realities.
But experience alone isn’t enough. The missing ingredient is guided mentorship. Traditional internships often provide surface-level exposure rather than deep, meaningful learning. To address this, Xterns connects experienced tech leads with ambitious learners in a structured, purposeful way. Mentors not only guide mentees but also enhance their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and leadership confidence.
The results speak for themselves. Learners emerge from Xterns with portfolios of real achievements, ready to navigate complex tech environments. They develop the soft skills that differentiate a good developer from a great one, and they are equipped to contribute from day one. Meanwhile, mentors refine their technical and leadership skills, creating a cycle of mutual growth.
The implications for the tech industry are profound. The question is no longer just “What do you know?” but “What have you done?” Companies are shifting away from traditional hiring criteria to prioritize demonstrated capability over theoretical knowledge.
The Future of Tech Talent Experience-First
The future of work demands a fundamental shift in how we prepare tech talent. It is no longer about accumulating certificates or checking boxes. It’s about building meaningful experience that translates directly to workplace success. This isn’t just about making better developers or data scientists, it’s about creating capable, confident tech professionals who can drive innovation from day one.
The path forward is clear: we must bridge the gap between education and industry needs through purposeful, structured experience. At Xterns, we’re investing heavily in creating simulated work environments that mirror real-world challenges. Every project, every task, every interaction is designed to build not just technical skills but also the leadership and collaboration capabilities that define success in tech.
As more companies embrace this experience-first approach, we are seeing a transformation in how tech talent is developed. The choice is clear: continue with outdated models that don’t meet industry needs, or embrace new methods that prioritize experience and application.
The future belongs to those who can bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. In tech, experience isn’t just the best teacher, it’s the only teacher that matters.
Top comments (1)
Sounds fantastic!!! Very good discussion about having experience or how to obtain that experience. Nowadays, the tech world goes extremely fast, it is very complex to gain that experience. This seems to be a very great way of grown and showcase your achievements.