Czechitas - Czech Republic
Czechitas is a comprehensive social impact platform dedicated to advancing ICT opportunities for women in the Czech Republic. Founded in 2014 as a grassroots movement by women tech enthusiasts, its primary mission revolves around inspiring, training, and guiding new talents to foster greater diversity within the tech industry. Czechitas offers various programs and services for women from multiple backgrounds, covering career development and continuous learning.
Get to know the initiative
The initiative was born out of recognising several pressing needs and realities. Firstly, there existed a significant gender gap within the tech sector, with women being underrepresented in various roles and domains. Additionally, societal and cultural norms often perpetuated stereotypes that discouraged women and girls from pursuing careers in ICT. Moreover, there was a lack of accessible pathways for women with limited skills or those seeking to re-enter the workforce after maternity leave to engage with and excel in the tech field.
Czechitas addresses these challenges through a multifaceted approach. Its goals are clear: to erase outdated perceptions and cultural biases towards women in IT/ICT, promote digital skills and training as essential components of education and economic empowerment, encourage companies to adopt inclusive practices in their hiring and workplace culture, influence policy institutions to embrace digital skills learning, and increase public awareness about the value of IT/ICT training for women across all demographics.
Who can benefit from this initiative?
The rationale behind the initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women in the tech sector benefits individuals and leads to broader societal and economic gains. Czechitas seeks to drive innovation, foster economic growth, and create a more equitable and inclusive society by tapping into the potential of underutilised talent pools.
The intended beneficiaries are primarily women facing various challenges in their professional and personal lives. This includes job seekers looking to enhance their skills, women transitioning through maternity leave, and those seeking to build stronger community connections. Additionally, partnering companies benefit from social impact and talent acquisition. Other target publics include universities, municipal agencies, regional bodies, and national institutions.
Why is this a good practice?
Czechitas organises various events and activities throughout the year to achieve these objectives, covering awareness raising, community building, vocational education and training, and career development. Czechitas ensures its programs are affordable, accessible, and inclusive for women of all ages and backgrounds.
As for the impact, Czechitas has successfully delivered over 1,800 training courses with more than 76,000 participants since its founding. It has also managed to track over 1,500 graduates who have successfully reskilled or upskilled to a professional technology role. Moreover, 50% of requalification course graduates transition to tech careers within six months, with 65% experiencing salary increases. Finally, over 100 companies, firms, funders, and other donors involved cooperate with Czechitas
In summary, his initiative was created to address the systemic barriers and biases that hinder women's participation and advancement in the tech industry. Through its holistic approach, the initiative aims to support beneficiaries by providing them with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive in the digital age, ultimately contributing to a more diverse, inclusive, and prosperous tech ecosystem in the Czech Republic.
