Asmaa Hamid
“Asmaa Hamid, 26, a Syrian refugee living in Lebanon, studied Computer Science at school but found that she lacked practical experience in the sector, making it challenging to find job opportunities. A friend recommended SE Factory to her, and she joined the coding program to gain more experience and learn new technologies. Through SE Factory’s Full Stack Developer certificate program and career coaching, Asmaa acquired vital skills and proficiency that helped her ace interviews and eventually land an internship with a company in the United Arab Emirates. “Currently, I am interning remotely…with the hope of turning it into a full-time job offer,” said Asmaa.
As part of the Skills Training Education Programme (STEP), Funded by IsDB and Al Ghurair Fund, SPARK’s partner, SE Factory, conducted two bootcamps to enroll youth such as Asmaa. The bootcamps offered a flexible and accessible alternative to traditional education, increasing youth employability and their chance to enter the workforce quickly with relevant skills. The bootcamps focus on job-specific skills in the tech sector, providing hands-on experience and digital skills that are highly valued by employers. Students had the opportunity to network with professionals in their field, work on their projects, and showcase their abilities to potential employers, potentially leading to job opportunities or partnerships.