Alabama’s community college system is one of six across the country selected for a new app-development curriculum launched Wednesday by Apple.

The new curriculum will be offered starting next fall as part of computer science programs in three Alabama community colleges: Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, Bishop State Community College in Mobile and Wallace State Community College in Selma.

In launching the program, Apple noted that there are more than 4,400 open computing jobs in Alabama. However, the company also stressed that the college curriculum will allow students to develop coding skills that are valuable in a wide variety of careers.

The program will allow students to learn to code and develop apps, using Apple’s Swift language. The Swift Programming Labs are an extension of Everyone Can Code, an existing Apple program used to introduce coding in K-12 schools.

The move into community colleges is designed to address workforce development needs in a technology-driven economy. The curriculum ensures students will enter the work world with knowledge of app development, the company said. In addition to the curriculum, participating schools receive relevant electronic devices, including iMacs, iPods, iPads, and Apple TVs.

“In a world powered by code, understanding key software concepts has become a new literacy,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple vice president for environment, policy and social initiatives. “Computer coding is an essential skill that students need to succeed, no matter what career they pursue.”