Despite having a stable job, Deric Yee saw an opportunity to build something transformative—an opportunity that was too powerful to ignore.
While studying in the UK, Deric had immersed himself in the startup ecosystem, working closely with ambitious founders and witnessing the impact of innovative ideas. This experience showed him that technology wasn’t just a part of the future—it was the engine driving the present.
“The biggest nine companies in the S&P500 were tech giants, and nearly 80% of remote jobs were in the tech sector,” he pointed out. “This revealed a massive, untapped demand for tech talent.”
Yet, the pool for job-ready candidates was lacking. Even degree graduates would seek Deric’s help as a self-taught coder, eager for guidance on acing coding interviews.
“This realisation was confirmed when I began securing software projects worth over RM100,000. In the process of hiring developers, I was taken aback by the subpar standards prevalent among many candidates,” Deric shared.
A pivotal moment came when he hired and trained an individual at a salary of RM4,500. Remarkably, he soon secured a remote position in Singapore with a salary of S$4,500.
This highlighted another pressing issue to Deric: brain drain. It became clear to him that the best-case scenario was to build a startup that would not only make money but also reshape lives.
“And the worst-case scenario was still a win, because I’d be equipped to secure a top remote tech job,” he shared.
With that, Deric launched Sigma School with a dual promise: best case, you build a startup and make a significant impact (and profit). Worst case, you’re fully equipped to land a rewarding remote job.
Fixing a “broken” system
Sigma School essentially exists as a juxtaposition of the traditional educational system, seeking to address all the pain points found there to create industry-ready talents.
Deric believes that one of the most glaring issues with conventional education is its outdated curriculum. By the time students graduate, the skills they’ve acquired are often no longer in demand.
Sigma School tackles this problem by offering a curriculum focused on industry-relevant and sought-after skills such as AI, blockchain, and full-stack development.
Another issue, Deric believes, lies in the disconnect between academic learning and real-world application. Believing that traditional universities often emphasise theoretical knowledge, Sigma School prioritises hands-on, practical learning.
This is achieved through real-world projects and case studies, so students can graduate with a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to deliver value to employers.
Another problem is high costs. A typical degree programme takes three years to complete and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
“We believe this system is unsustainable,” Deric said. “Our three-month bootcamp offers an affordable, efficient alternative that guarantees results: if you don’t land a job within six months of graduating, we refund your tuition.”
In fact, Deric personally oversees career support initiatives, including resume building, mock interviews, and connecting graduates with their network of 30+ hiring partners across Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.
Sigma School charges RM20K for its online bootcamp, though the founder shared that they usually give RM5,000 off on festive seasons.
To complement their programme, there’s TryJobier.com, Sigma School’s automated job search platform. There’s also Codeo.ai, a mobile app previously featured on Vulcan Post, that allows students to practise daily and master new skills on the go.
Real value for money
As mentioned, conventional education systems can be expensive. What about other bootcamps?
Well, Deric argues that Sigma School is one of the most value-for-money coding bootcamps in the world, complete with flexible payment options and a money back guarantee if students do not get a job after graduation.
He reminded, “Our mission isn’t just to teach coding—it’s to ensure that every graduate lands a high-paying job within six months of completing the course.”
For students who struggle with the fast-paced environment, Sigma School provides robust support systems, including one-on-one mentorship and daily office hours.
They even facilitate mentorship opportunities with talents at tech giants like Microsoft and Grab.
“These mentorship programmes are designed not just to transfer technical knowledge but also to build confidence in our students by connecting them with experienced professionals who have walked similar paths,” Deric said.
Sigma School’s success stories are truly inspiring, especially when it involves those who transitioned from entirely unrelated fields. For example, one student was a former NHS doctor that now thrives as a developer. One was a B40 gig worker turned full-stack developer.
“At Sigma School , our job placement success rate speaks for itself—every single graduate who completed our programme and wanted to pivot into tech has landed a job, some even before graduation,” Deric said.
Future-proofing students
One big challenge Sigma School faces, though, is the same one traditional schools do: the rapidly evolving tech landscape, especially with the rise of AI.
“Many people now mistakenly believe that AI can write all the code, eliminating the need for human engineers,” Deric said. “This misconception creates a dual challenge: educating potential students on the enduring value of skilled software engineers and ensuring our curriculum stays ahead of industry demands.”
The founder believes that while AI accelerates certain tasks, the gap between engineers who leverage AI tools and those who don’t have never been wider. Thus, companies still desperately need talented developers to build, innovate, and solve complex problems.
To address this, Sigma School is refining existing programmes and actively building AI agents and integrating AI training into their courses.
“Even as AI transforms industries, one thing remains clear: this is the perfect time to enter tech. Companies still need builders, and we’re here to create them,” Deric emphasised.
Regardless of any challenges, the founder remains steadfast and confident in his vision for Sigma School—to be a global leader in democratising tech education.
“We want to break into new markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, and create pathways for individuals from all walks of life to access transformative skills,” he said.
A key part of this vision involves collaborating with government agencies and NGOs to bring tech education to underserved communities, Deric elaborated.
Working with them could bring scholarships, subsidised programmes, or even free bootcamps.
“Education shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be a right,” Deric said. “And at Sigma School, we’re committed to making that vision a reality, one student at a time.”
- Learn more about Sigma School here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: Sigma School
