Just slightly over a year ago, EPAM's educational initiatives that previously covered only Mexico in the region expanded their reach across many more countries in Latin America. As we approach the end of 2023, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the significant milestones achieved during this period.
In the spring of 2023, EPAM embarked on a collaborative journey with top tech universities, which resulted in collaboration agreements with 12 educational institutions by the end of the year. Currently the list of our educational partners includes some of the most prominent Mexican tech universities: IBERO (Mexico City), Tec de Monterrey, Tec Milenio, CETI Colomos, Global University Aguascalientes, Tecnológico Superior de Jalisco, Universidad Politécnico de Yucatán, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, ITSON, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatan, Universidad Tecnológica de Manzanillo, and UniMinuto (Medellin, Colombia).
The company’s commitment to actively contribute to developing local talent and knowledge sharing has translated into diverse educational activities involving over 600 students. Across 25 events, held in both online and offline formats, EPAM engaged with the student community through Open Days at EPAM’s offices, various Tech Talks, lectures at the universities, panel discussions, and hackathons.
Elias Gutierrez, head of educational programs at EPAM Mexico:
“The relationship that is being built with universities, comes from a need to increase the level of knowledge of students. Universities understand how important it is to form partnerships with companies that can take their students to the next level; they are focused on increasing the number of students who perform their internships in EPAM to direct them into a more focused profile even before they complete their studies.
To meet current market demand, EPAM's educational programs in Latin America have expanded dramatically, now totaling more than 15 programs for candidates of various skill levels ranging from beginners to advanced students. These programs include the most in-demand IT skills, such as Java, Front-End Development, Test Automation, Cloud & DevOps, and even feature an introductory course, "IT Fundamentals," for those just getting started in the fascinating world of technology.
The first Junior Online Conference in Latin America
What about sharing knowledge and inspiration with 500+ motivated novices at a time? We’ve done it during the first Junior Online Conference in Latin America. Being well-known among IT beginners in Central and Eastern Europe, this is a new format for the LatAm region.
What do you need to know for a powerful start in .NET development? How to leverage AI capabilities for more effective learning? Why is Java here to stay? How to start a career in Front-End development? What do recruiters pay attention to during job interviews and how to craft a perfect CV?
Novices in IT who aspire to grow professionally got these and many more questions answered during the event, organized by EPAM experts for candidates from Mexico and Colombia.
The event covered 3 key tech skills: Java, JavaScript, and .NET. It is no coincidence either: EPAM currently runs self-paced ongoing educational programs in these disciplines for candidates with a basic level of IT awareness but no hands-on experience, easing their entry into the tech world.
Nina Skazobova, head of educational programs at EPAM Colombia:
"During the Conference, future junior specialists learned from practicing experts about choosing the right tech stack, current industry trends, and the knowledge required to kickstart a successful IT career. With around 500 registrations and lots of positive feedback, we promised not to stop there."
What’s next?
Even more interesting formats, new programs, and career opportunities are planned for the near future. So, stay tuned for announcements of new skills, directions, and formats for future juniors and follow our updates, so you don't miss out on new promising opportunities.