Level Up: Creating Tech Employment Opportunities in Brazil and Beyond

This blog was written by Luciana Depieri, Chief People & Administrative Officer at Logicalis Latam.

My home country, Brazil, is a dynamic and vibrant nation. However, not everyone has access to the same employment opportunities. Like Cisco, the company I work for, Logicalis, is committed to creating a better world for the communities we serve, and we believe in the value of Cisco’s purpose to “Power an Inclusive Future for All.”

That’s why, in 2023, Logicalis Latin America launched Level Up. Level Up is a program that combines a technical curriculum with the development of soft skills, designed to help participants build their knowledge and enable them to compete for roles in the technology sector. It is remote-based and free, making it more accessible to all.

As we developed the program, we wanted to use best-in-class, leading-edge technical content. So, we leveraged our existing partnership with Cisco and integrated the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum into our course content. We believe that this, coupled with transferable skills training focused on collaboration, customer experience, project management, and other areas, can help students differentiate themselves from other candidates in the marketplace.

The Mentorship Journey

In addition to the training, each participant is accompanied by a Logicalis mentor. These Logicalis professionals volunteer their time to guide participants’ journeys by offering personalized follow-ups, encouragement, professional advice, and confidence-building as participants work toward their certifications and prepare for careers in the tech field.

Mentorships are a unique aspect of Level Up, and I know firsthand how rewarding these relationships can be. During one of the cohorts, I was paired with a woman who was changing careers. As I shared insights from my career, she shared her personal experiences. Our exchanges helped me better understand the specific support she needed and broadened my perspective on how I might serve others through the program. Maytê Araújo, one of the course participants, shared,

“One of the most memorable parts of the program was the individual mentoring. I was mentored by a professional from the company, who motivated me to persevere in the learning process, in addition to providing valuable guidance for developing new skills and sharing her experiences. This was invaluable for my growth.”

Broadening Our Impact

Since the program’s inception, six cohorts have been completed, which included 441 registrants, 312 hours of training, and 18 career webinars. We are more than excited about the program’s progress, with 40% of those registrants now certified in Network Infrastructure and Information Security. Moema Rocha, a participant from the first cohort, shared,

“Level Up was a turning point for me. It was a complete learning experience, both technically and behaviorally, which allows me to enter the technology field with more confidence. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an excellent and complete course.”

We are eager to bring similar learning opportunities to even more communities and are actively working to expand the program to other countries in Latin America where Logicalis operates.

Creating a Pipeline of Talent

Graduates are not guaranteed a job at Logicalis upon completing the course. However, they are encouraged to apply for open positions at Logicalis that align with their newly acquired skills, and we have hired several graduates into technical roles. Many others have also been employed at other organizations.

It’s exciting to know that with the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum, and the dedication of our instructors, mentors, and students, the Level Up program is creating more pathways to employment in the tech industry, one student at a time.

If as a Cisco partner, you want to collaborate with the Logicalis team to expand the Level Up program to a broader audience across Latin America, please contact Renata Oliveria or Liege Rodrigues.

If you have inspiring stories about how your organization is creating a better world for the communities you serve, we encourage you to share them.

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