Don't have proven techniques, but have been toying with an idea I'd like to try the next time I have the chance.
Have been thinking of starting a "farm team" to develop green programmers. Have a meetup once or twice a week, work on a focused project together, do mutual code review. Read the classics (e.g. the MMM) as homework.
Perhaps give out some Amazon gift cards for good work. When a participant levels up, move them to a paid role.
That's what I think Isaac (Sendgrid founder) is trying to do with JoyLabs.
I had the pleasure to meet him when he came to Mexico and he talked about the idea of "pairing" a very junior Engineer (from Mexico) with a very senior one from top companies in the USA to grow them, even covering the English language teaching.
The theory sounds very good but man, at least I was afraid that he was overestimating what "Junior dev" means down here in Mexico (from my experience hiring in MX and US, MX-Senior = US-Mid-Level, MX-Mid-Level = US-Junior).
This sounds like such a great idea! I saw in a sibling comment that you might lean towards doing these in person, but I could see it working well remotely also.
Agreed, however am in Los Angeles. Would recommend remote but this type of thing might be better in person. Perhaps each city can create their own. Even in LA there'd probably need to be a group in each part of town, like west, downtown, and/or Pasadena.
I'm game location-wise from about Hollywood to DTLA, however not in a hiring position right now. Will be looking for a gig of my own shortly as my current contract finishes.
Have been thinking of starting a "farm team" to develop green programmers. Have a meetup once or twice a week, work on a focused project together, do mutual code review. Read the classics (e.g. the MMM) as homework.
Perhaps give out some Amazon gift cards for good work. When a participant levels up, move them to a paid role.