The technology market continues to grow exponentially, however, it still stands out as one of the least diverse.Focused on this, and seeking to train people with disabilities to ensure employability, as well as to promote innovation and economic development in Brazil, Microsoft had the educational support of SoulCode Academy, Brazilian edtech that aims to democratize digital education, generating social impact and digital inclusion, to expand the formation of PCDs for the technology market.
The partnership integrates Microsoft Connect+, a portal that brings together all the company's free training and retraining programs, and graduated at the end of June about 30 students with disabilities in a Bootcamp focused on Cloud Concepts and Artificial Intelligence in the Microsoft Cloud.
“The initiative with SoulCode is in line with Microsoft's goal of empowering the Brazilian population in technology and having a diverse team in its staff, which brings different perspectives to the business and innovate from their individual experiences”, said Cristiane Carvalho, director of human resources at Microsoft Brazil.
Empowering with inclusion has already transformed realities
Students participated in 100% online and live classes, Monday through Friday, full-time, from 8am to 18am, for 12 weeks. In addition to technical training, the training also included mentoring of Microsoft professionals, development of behavioral skills and 1 hour of English class daily for each participant through the SoulCode Tech English platform.
“O course gave me the opportunity to learn technology and gain a career and also made me a better person. I learned about important techniques for the technology scenario, but also improved my ability to work in a group and even learned about the importance of inclusion”, says Alexandre Caus Haddade, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
“I have always been delegitimized and was afraid of contact with other people, but it was amazing how the teachers were receptive and how I was respected. The training allows me to work and seek dignity, as well as the possibility of growth as a professional”, reports Bruna Gago, a transsexual woman, who is a stutterer and diagnosed with ASD.
“People who differ from the norm do not have the opportunity to choose jobs and, from the moment we get a decent job for our training, we have prospects for professional growth”, continued Bruna.
When thinking about technology, we still think of cis men, white and without disabilities. As a PCD and aware of my social clippings, I knew I would need to dedicate myself more than others and I received all the support necessary for this during the bootcamp”, says Bruna.
“Inclusion is still beginning in the technology market and training opportunities like this from Microsoft and SoulCode are the demonstration of this struggle. A person with Autism Spectrum Disorder is not better or worse than anyone, she is only a person with a different vision and this can be very important for a company”, says Alexandre.
