Innovation

Codellege started at the beginning of 2016 in Aguascalientes, Mexico, under the name of “Aula Tecnológica”, in which low income persons were invited to be part of a training program focused on technology. The objective of the program was that participants were evolving and getting knowledge about information systems though programming languages.

"Aula Tecnológica" was adapted in 2017 to the concept of Codellege. It came back stronger and with a more comprehensive format. The investment has increased and the involvement of different areas of the company is an integral part of the business model.

The main goal of Codellege is to train young people so they can reach a junior level in web programming and then they can get into the labor market, preferably inside Softtek. Nevertheless this is not restricted, and the idea is that they can have job opportunities, even if employed by direct competitors of Softtek.

Codellege is a five-month program. During this period, the students learn about programming, human development, entrepreneurship and English. Afterwards, it is expected that during the next four months they’ll get a job in programming, and they are encouraged to look for job growth. The requirements to be a part of Codellege is to be between 18 and 30 years old, have finished middle school, be a resident in the cities where Codellege has a campus (Monterrey, Aguascalientes and Guadalajara), availability (for four hours a day) as well as being motivated and have a desire of development in the area of information technologies. If the requirements are met, the next step is to take the tests and socioeconomic study. Finally, there is an interview to select the participants of the present class.

Inspiration

The mission of Softtek is to generate value through technology, that is why the main goal of Codellege is to achieve the professional inclusion of young talented people to the IT areas. The concept started with the training of young people with restricted possibilities but great interest in the information and computer programming languages. The value of this initiative has been promoted by the company towards society and environment where the companies have been developed.

Blanca Treviño, CEO of Softtek, has been distinguished for her interest, enthusiasm and support of education. She often demonstrates her interest in society and well being as part of her family values.

Softtek needs to open opportunities in each area, region or location where the company is present, this concept has been the number one priority and part of the company's strategy. Softtek strongly believes that a first-class education quality is capable of transforming lives and maximizing well being of communities.

The structure of this initiative was created by the joint of their core business with technology and society. One fact that supports all of the social compromise the company has is that Blanca has being honored in 2018 by the “Educando” association, NGO whose main goal is to transform the education of Latin American youth.

Overall impact

The impacts of this initiative are both social and economic. Young people from this program leave unemployment and are no longer vulnerable as their income is increased. They are motivated by having an education, employment and opportunities to grow. In addition, their families receive economic benefit from a stable formal job. To this date, 102 young people have benefited from this strategy. Twice a year a new program is started.

In Softtek, the income of each candidate is registered, before and after Codellege. This KPI is the one used measure the impact on society, at the individual and at the family level. The indicator is a function of the increase in the income of both the person and the family. The socioeconomic data is correlated with their previous situation and a comparison is made with those who do not have a job, and those who did not enter the program and are still not working.

Business benefit

Softtek understands that if there is well being in the areas where it has presence, the environment will favor the prosperity of the business.

Codellege in Monterrey has a labor insertion rate of more than 60% with an average increase in family income of 50%. Most of the students that get in the program end up working at Softtek. There are also some of them working in Startups, Grupo Modelo and peer companies of Softtek, to mention a few.

The economic benefit to Softtek is an increase of availability of new qualified candidates already adept to the company’s core business (Information Technology and Systems). And by lowering the cost of recruitment because it works as a natural source of new potential talent and replacements of existing ones.

That means less economic loss for Softtek during the recruitment and selection process, including a lower learning curve within the new incoming staff.

Social and environmental benefit

Codellege is an initiative that impacts both the social and professional field. However, the company also has other initiatives that impact the environmental front: All its buildings are LEED certified, processes must be paperless, separation of garbage and electronic waste is constantly recycled. At the end Codellege is structured to increase well being of young people, a positive social impact.

Interview

Samuel Casanova, Codellege Leader