As a statistician working for a bank, this is good news. I was doing some self-study to become proficient in JavaScript (I already know a bit of programming in C, Haskell, Java and JavaScript) - and this looks like it could lend some stamp of credibility to a prospective employer or client. While I am sure this is not enough, and should be backed up with open source contributions, this is definitely a good start.
So, we are just calling certifications by different names now?<p>I opened the iOS nanodegree page:<p>--<p>The core courses will bring you from zero to hero in developing industry-quality iOS apps using Apple's innovative programming language, Swift<p>.
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.<p>* 7-8 months if you can commit 10 hours per week
* 3-4 months if you can commit 20 hours per week<p>--<p>So assuming one spends 40 hours a week (normal work week) in 1.5-2.0 months you will be a 'accredited' iOS developer.<p>Sorry, I wouldn't hire you, and I can't remember a place I worked at that would.<p>They will just be like the MCTS or whatever from Microsoft, but without at least a 'governing' body that issues the requirements. Just something to add to your resume to work at a place that doesn't know how to do hiring.