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

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.

QA automation specialist is a profession in IT, which is promising for both beginners and experienced technicians. It provides an opportunity to work remotely, offers a decent wage, and is in demand in the international labour market (you can learn more about it here).

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

To learn more about the course, you need to register for the orientation webinar by January 24 23:59 following a link https://bit.ly/registaer_QA. During the webinar, training organizers will tell more about the profession of QA automation specialist, selection and training process, and answer questions from the participants.

Registered webinar participants will receive a link to the registration, which includes filling out a questionnaire and selection tests that have to be passed by 23:59 of 30 January 2022. Successful candidates will be invited for an online interview. The training will take place in stages over 6 months, it can be combined with work or study, as classes will be held online in the evenings.

Answers to the most common questions:

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).

What is QA automation?

This is a popular profession in the field of IT, which is promising for both beginners and experienced technicians. The work of a QA automation specialist is at the intersection of developing and testing. It enables you to work from anywhere and offers a decent reward. Read more about QA automation here.

What are the features of this programme?

First, mentoring and language support. We offer additional support to participants: regular technical and mentoring support (on theory, practice, or any other issues), as well as courses to improve English language skills.

Secondly, special conditions of enrolment. You do not need to have a technical education to enrol in the programme. Basic technical knowledge, as well as a basic level of English A1+ will be enough. In addition, you can learn more about the profession of QA automation, ask EPAM specialists about the specifics of training or the selection process during the orientation webinar (the link to register for webinar is provided below).

How to get on the course?

Step 1. Send an application to participate in the training programme (this is NOT yet registration). You will receive an invitation to the orientation webinar, which will take place on 25 January. During the webinar, you can learn more about the profession of QA automation specialist, the process of selection and training, ask questions. After participating in the webinar, you will receive a link to register for the course on the EPAM platform. Application for participation in the webinar: https://bit.ly/registaer_QA.

Step 2. Register for the course and two qualifying tests. To enter the QA automation specialist training course, you must apply and pass a selection test (technical knowledge and level of English) by 23:59 of 30 January 2022. Taking tests is a must for your candidacy, so be sure to do it on time.

Step 3. Take a motivation interview. Successful candidates will be invited for an interview. Interviews will take place online with selected participants from 31 January to 7 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 10 February. Invitations to interviews and other communication will take place through the e-mail you provide during registration, so check it regularly.

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.