UNICEF and EPAM invite vulnerable people to learn a promising IT profession

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Leading IT company EPAM and UNICEF are launching recruitment for a training programme in IT. Participants of the programme will master the modern and popular profession of QA automation specialist. Residents of communities participating in the Child and Youth Friendly Municipality initiative, who belong to one or more vulnerable groups can take advantage of this opportunity, including – young people with disabilities; people caring for children with disabilities; single moms or dads; parents who have many children. After the participation, successful students will be granted an opportunity to cooperate with EPAM.

Despite the high number of people with higher education in Ukraine, finding employment remains a challenge for many, especially for vulnerable groups. According to UNICEF research, this is primarily due to the mismatch between the skills acquired during training and those that employers need. Businesses have the necessary resources to help unlock the potential and prospects of millions of young people, provide them with access to opportunities, and make society more inclusive and prosperous.

“Skills mismatch is a serious challenge for employability in a fast-changing world. The gap between an individual’s skills and the level of skills demanded in the market is becoming grater nowadays. This gap is much higher for vulnerable people who may have limited access to quality education and development opportunities. Thanks to the cooperation with EPAM, we are launching the second phase of the training programme which expands the learning opportunities for vulnerable young people on high-demanded IT skills. After completing the training programme, young people will access the opportunities for employment. This is one more step towards reducing inequalities and creating new opportunities for those who are in need,” emphasized Yusuf Bafozoda, Social Policy Specialist at UNICEF Ukraine.

An important element of the joint EPAM and UNICEF programme is additional mentoring support from EPAM specialists, as well as additional English language classes. To participate in the course, you need to have high motivation, a desire to master a modern IT profession, a basic level of English, and basic technical knowledge.

“The IT industry has flexible work conditions, develops dynamically and grows by about 20% every year. By creating training programs for vulnerable groups of society, we give motivated people the opportunity to join a modern and interesting field, as well as change their lives. We guarantee intensive training, mentoring and opportunities for professional development. Making education and knowledge accessible to all is one of the strategic directions of ERAM’s sustainable development,” said Aziza Hamidova, ESG Project Expert at ERAM Ukraine.

This is the second joint training programme between EPAM and UNICEF. The first was launched in November 2021 for young people with disabilities. Successful participants are now studying another profession – DevOps.

Answers to the most common questions:
1. Who can apply to participate in the joint training programme of QA automation specialist from EPAM and UNICEF?

To participate in the programme, you have to meet the following criteria:

  • Reside in one of the communities participating in the Child and Youth Friendly Municipality initiative (Baranivka, Barska ATC, Bakhmut, Berezivska ATC, Bila Tserkva, Bilozirska ATC, Bilyaivska ATC, Vakulivska ATC, Vinnytsia, Volodymyr-Volynskyi, Druzhkivka, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Kaniv, Klesivska ATC, Kremenchuk, Lviv, Mariupol, Mena, Mykolaiv, Myrhorod, Novoborivska ATC, Novovodolazka ATC, Novoznamianska ATC, Novoukrainska ATC, Odesa, Rohatyn, Ternopil, Tokmak, Uzhhorod, Uman, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Khmilnyk, Cherkasy, Shyrokivska ATC).
  • Identify yourself with one or more vulnerable groups, including – young people with disabilities; people caring for children with disabilities; single moms or dads; parents who have many children.
  • Have a desire to develop yourself, learn a new profession, invest time and effort in learning to become an IT specialist.
  • Age from 18 years.
  • Have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a university, or be in a training programme to obtain such a degree.
  • Basic level of English A1+ (pre-Intermediate) or higher – being able to read, hold conversations on basic topics (for example, tell about yourself or why you secided to participate in the programme, why you are interested in IT development, etc.), understand simple questions.
  • Have basic IT knowledge.
  • Be ready to invest time in online learning for 6 months (classes will take place 2-3 times a week and will last for 2-3 hours, plus homework).
2. How to get on the course?

Step 1. Register for the course and two qualifying tests (technical knowledge and level of English) by 18:00 of 7 February 2022. Taking tests is a must for your candidacy, so be sure to do it on time. To start registration please enter the link.

Step 2. Take a motivation interview. Successful candidates will be invited for an interview. Invitations to interviews and other communication will take place through the e-mail you provide during registration, so check it regularly. Interviews will take place online with selected participants from 7 February to 15 February. The interview aims to find out about your motivation to participate in the programme. The results of the selection for the EPAM programme will be announced by 15 February.

3. How will the training take place?

The course will last six months and consists of three stages, classes will be held exclusively online. Time is in the evening, so that it can be combined with work or study. Homework should be done between classes. The first stage will last three months and will take approximately 20 hours per week (including homework). To move to the second stage, you need to complete the final assignment. You should pass an interview to proceed to the third stage. With each stage, the number of practical activities will increase, and the programme will become more specialized. Following the results of stage 3, the best students will be able to join the EPAM team.