Naples will be home to Apple's new iOS app development centre
Apple has created its first European iOS App Development Centre in Naples, which will give students practical skills for developing iOS apps.
It is estimated that Apple’s iOS app economy has generated 1.2m jobs in Europe so far.
In recent weeks, Apple revealed that it has paid developers nearly $40bn since 2008, with more than one-third of this paid out in the last year alone.
The unprecedented growth of the App Store has helped developers in Europe earn more than €10.2bn from selling their apps around the world.
The iOS app economy has generated 1.2m jobs in Europe, 1.6m jobs in the US and some 1.4m jobs in China. In Italy alone, more than 75,000 jobs are attributable to the App Store, according to Apple.
‘Europe is home to some of the most creative developers in the world and we’re thrilled to be helping the next generation of entrepreneurs in Italy get the skills they need for success’
– TIM COOK
The iOS App Development Centre, to be located at a partner institution in Naples, will support teachers and provide a specialised curriculum preparing thousands of future developers to be part of Apple’s thriving developer community.
Apple will also work with partners around Italy who deliver developer training to complement this curriculum and create additional opportunities for students. Apple expects to expand this programme to other countries around the world.
“Europe is home to some of the most creative developers in the world and we’re thrilled to be helping the next generation of entrepreneurs in Italy get the skills they need for success,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
“The phenomenal success of the App Store is one of the driving forces behind the more than 1.4m jobs Apple has created in Europe and presents unlimited opportunities for people of all ages and businesses of all sizes across the continent.”
The iOS app economy has grown to become the world’s most vibrant software market.
Apple revealed that in the two weeks ending 3 January, consumers spent more than $1.1bn on apps and in-app purchases. A new record was set on 1 January 2016 when customers spent more than $144m alone – the previous record was set a week earlier on Christmas Day.
Naples image via Shutterstock
