In the mentoring program, participants will be able to get the support of both local and international mentors for the development of professional IT skills, regardless of whether the goal is to take the first steps in the field of technology or a desire to advance a career that's already started.
Butina explained that the Latvian IT labor market is constantly looking for new specialists in various fields of technology, but they are expected to have practical experience, which is difficult to get it, especially for those who change direction from another profession or field.
"For the second year, we will put a special emphasis on projects to ensure the opportunity to gain this experience. Working in teams, program participants will have the opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of IT specialists, looking for solutions for real projects. Program graduates will already have a broader understanding of IT projects and processes, as well as practical experience to include on a CV when looking for a job in the tech industry," she said.
The "Riga TechGirls" mentor program will take place mainly online, in English. Within its framework, the participants will work with their mentor and at the same time participate in projects to gain in-depth practical knowledge in several technological areas: front-end and back-end development, mobile app development, machine learning, user experience (UX)/user interface (UI), quality assurance (QA), testing, engineering, business analytics, data science/analytics, cyber security, project management, product management, IT support/DevOps.
Application for the program for both mentors and mentees is open until September 15 of this year on the "Riga TechGirls" website . Within its framework, it is planned to receive and train around 200 women. It is estimated that around 180 mentors from different countries of the world will participate this year. The program will be implemented in the period from January 4 to June 19, 2024.
As previously reported by LSM, the organization has also partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to offer an online digital course allowing women to get to grips with the digital environment.
