Today, there are more than 2 million apps available for your smart phone. More community college students will have an opportunity to learn how to code and design new apps with Apple’s app development curriculum.

Starting this fall, six community college systems will be among the first to offer Apple’s one-year App Development with Swift course. It was designed by Apple engineers and educators and teaches students elements of app design using Swift, a popular programming language.

Students will learn to code and design fully functional apps, gaining critical job skills in software development and information technology, according to Apple’s press release. At many campuses, local businesses also will offer students mentoring and internships.

“We’ve seen firsthand the impact that coding has on individuals and the U.S. economy as a whole. The app economy and software development are among the fastest-growing job sectors in America and we’re thrilled to be providing educators and students with the tools to learn coding,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a release. “Community colleges play a critical role in helping students achieve their dreams, and we hope these courses will open doors for people of all ages and backgrounds to pursue what they love.”

Offering the curriculum are the Alabama Community College System, Columbus State Community College (Ohio), Harrisburg Area Community College (Pennsylvania), Houston Community College (Texas), Mesa Community College (Arizona) and the San Mateo Community College District (California). Houston Community College (HCC) is opening an iOS Coding and Design School that will teach Apple’s new curriculum.

“We are focused on preparing our students for life in a global and technological society, and in 2017 that means making sure our students have access to a state-of-the-art coding curriculum,” HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado said.

The opportunity will “especially help us bridge the gap in computer science training for minorities and women,” Maldonado added.

A few select high schools also will participate.

What programs at your college help prepare students for the app economy? Talk about it on LinkedIn.