The initiative is driven by the Fundación ONCE [The Spanish National Organisation for the Blind], Fundación CEOE [The Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Associations], and the Conference of Social Councils of Spanish Universities, of which the ULPGC Social Council is a member.
A disabled woman from the Canary Islands will receive training for technology positions thanks to the Radia programme which aims to promote the presence of disabled people in technology roles. This initiative is driven by the Fundación ONCE, the Fundación CEOE and the Conference of Social Councils of Spanish Universities (CCS), of which the ULPGC Social Council is a member.
The beneficiary of this initiative, in the Canary Islands, is María de los Ángeles B. M., a technical engineer in telecommunications specialising in electronic systems who holds a master’s in teacher training from the ULPGC. She currently works as a maths and IT teacher and has previously worked as a sales engineer in electromedicine.
The Radia Programme seeks to provide disabled women with employment opportunities, this being the demographic with the fewest opportunities for professional development within the field of technology. The training course began on Tuesday and will conclude in June 2021. There are a total of 50 women participating from across Spain.
The programme is divided into three phases which combine face-to-face and distance learning and which deal with the most topical issues concerning digital transformation, such as: artificial intelligence, fintech, esport, e-commerce, cyber security, biotechnology, blockchain, and Green teach. Moreover, participants will receive mentoring and inspirational training from mentors from different companies, as well as work experience with technology firms.
The first phase, Brain Storm, began on Tuesday with a talk on artificial intelligence by Carlos Santana. During the Mentor Women phase, which will take place over 12 weeks, participants will discover real life situations within the field of technology thanks to professionals working in the digital sphere who will teach them about their day-to-day experiences so as to teach, inspire and empower them.
During the final phase, Real Work, those selected will receive digital training over 100, four-hour sessions and will be supported by mentors in order to carry out work experience in selected companies. This is expected to conclude on 30th June 2021.