As part of the first phase training in the Women4IT project, at the end of 2020, 38 NEET participants from Latvia aged 18 to 29 completed their training. As part of the training, participants had the opportunity to take a 160-hour training course in one of four digital professions - a digital media practitioner, a data analyst, an information systems tester and a data protection specialist. At the moment, many of the graduates have already found a job, we share the story of Ausma Cīrulniece from Riga, Latvia.
Ausma found out about the courses from a career consultant at the State Employment Agency. The project in Latvia is implemented by the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA) and, based on the memorandum of cooperation concluded between LIKTA and the SEA to promote the involvement of young women in digital work and the IT sector, SEA invited their clients to participate in the project. Ausma applied for the course Digital Media Practitioner, studied the chosen study program and is currently successfully working in the field of study. We offer an insight into Ausma's training and retraining experience:
How was your experience with the course?
Ausma Cīrulniece, Women4IT graduate: Valuable, educational and interactive. I liked that the trainer was a professional in the industry, who on her daily bases deals with digital media marketing. The theoretical information in the courses were in balance with the practical tasks and homework’s.
What have you learnt during the course?
Ausma: How to create a digital marketing strategy. Starting from competitors’ research to visual material creation. From Facebook Ads to Google pixel and e-mail marketing.
What has the course given you?
Ausma: Tools and resources how to continue to grow in my development, as well as in-depth understanding on how to create a marketing strategy and the meaning of it.
How have you grown professionally?
Ausma: During the training, I created a strategy for the company, where I started working shortly after the training. I currently work as a Digital media team assistant/Client consultant. I use the acquired knowledge on a daily basis, with my works and ideas helping to create the company's image on social networks. I liked that each nuance learned is topical, fresh and sometimes untried.
How have you grown personally?
Ausma: The training helped to build and strengthen confidence in my own skills in the chosen subject, to dare to try something new, as well as to make new contacts.
Would you recommend it to a friend? Why?
Ausma: Yes, certainly! If even everyday work is not related to digital marketing, I think it is useful to understand the model of its usage. Who knows, maybe someday you will have to put up a Facebook ad or quickly create a beautiful visual?
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Ausma: We created WhatsApp group with the participants of the training course, for which we supported each other throughout the program, as well as together we were able to reach the trainer. It was very interesting to participate in training with ladies, for each of whom a different type of company is chosen to work with. Unexpectedly as an additional bonus to the training - knowledge of new industries, from music to small business, and even to construction projects!
On March 30, 2021, the second stage of the project piloting training in Latvia will end, in which 88 girls will learn skills for digital jobs. Thus, more than 100 girls in Latvia are given the opportunity to start a new career in digital work by acquiring new knowledge and digital skills.
