Skillsoft has laid off the entire Codecademy curriculum team, a move confirmed by Zoe Bachman, Senior Curriculum Director at Codecademy, via her public LinkedIn post. The layoffs affect the team responsible for developing interactive programming content, career pathways, and AI-powered learning features across the platform.
In her post, Bachman expressed surprise at the sudden shift, stating, “Yesterday, Skillsoft laid off my entire Codecademy Curriculum team. It’s not how I imagined leaving after nearly nine years, especially because this team was doing exceptional work. Still, I’m walking away incredibly proud of what we built.” This restructuring comes as Codecademy, acquired by Skillsoft in 2022, navigates a rapidly changing educational landscape increasingly driven by artificial intelligence.
Bachman, who joined Codecademy in 2017, rose through the ranks to head the learning department. She highlighted several key initiatives that her team developed, including “Reimagining interactive learning with experiences like Code Foundations, moving beyond the browser IDE into games and applets that helped learners build real conceptual understanding of programming and tech careers.” Under her leadership, Codecademy redesigned its Career Paths to include job-relevant coursework, portfolio projects, code challenges, and professional certifications, with the Full Stack Engineer Path emerging as one of the platform’s most popular offerings.
The recent layoffs raise questions about Codecademy’s future curriculum direction and the ability to maintain its learning content. Curriculum design is crucial for differentiating coding platforms, particularly regarding structured career pathways and certification tracks. As AI-led tools gain traction, the removal of the curriculum team signals a possible pivot in how Codecademy approaches content development.
Bachman acknowledged the transition and noted her intention to explore new opportunities. “Taking a breath, appreciating this moment of transition, and heading into the next chapter with a lot of clarity about the kind of work I want to do,” she wrote. She also mentioned that many former Codecademy employees are now looking for new roles, encouraging potential employers in the ed-tech space to reach out for connections.
Despite the significant personnel changes, Skillsoft has not publicly detailed the rationale behind this restructuring. The announcement, primarily driven by internal channels, raises speculation about deeper organizational shifts within Codecademy and how these might impact its content production model.
Codecademy’s changes happen against a backdrop of ongoing developments within the educational technology sector, where companies are increasingly integrating AI to enhance learning experiences. As institutions seek innovative ways to engage students, Codecademy’s next steps will be closely watched, particularly in relation to its commitment to providing relevant and effective coding education.
The layoff of the curriculum team not only reflects the challenges facing Codecademy but also serves as a barometer for the broader ed-tech landscape, where adaptability and innovation are key to survival in an ever-evolving marketplace. The future will reveal whether Codecademy’s strategic changes can effectively address the demands of modern learners while maintaining its reputation for quality educational content.
Meanwhile, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open, recognizing education technology organizations that deliver measurable impact across K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are accepting entries internationally, with submissions assessed based on outcome evidence and real-world application.
See also
Andrew Ng Advocates for Coding Skills Amid AI Evolution in Tech
AI’s Growing Influence in Higher Education: Balancing Innovation and Critical Thinking
AI in English Language Education: 6 Principles for Ethical Use and Human-Centered Solutions
Ghana’s Ministry of Education Launches AI Curriculum, Training 68,000 Teachers by 2025
57% of Special Educators Use AI for IEPs, Raising Legal and Ethical Concerns
