Over 400 participants from all regions of the country, including schoolgirls, students, teachers, and IT professionals, benefited from the "English for IT" course as part of the Digital Literacy Programme for Girls and Women. The initiative was carried out by the National Association of ICT Companies (ATIC) with financial support from Denmark, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme aimed to develop skills and knowledge, especially for girls and women, diversifying their career prospects, opening new opportunities, and reducing existing gaps.

The "English for IT" course was held from October to November 2024 in a hybrid format (online and offline) at Tekwill hubs in Bălți and Comrat, the Inotek Center in Cahul, and professional education institutions in Cahul and Chișinău. Participants came from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, with 59% being women, including 97 students from vocational education. This represents 14% of the total number of IT students nationwide.

"The 'English for IT' course reflects UNDP's commitment to harnessing Moldova's digital potential by creating more inclusive opportunities. By investing in the development of girls' and women's skills, we are not only supporting gender equality but also accelerating the transition to an innovation- and knowledge-based economy, where everyone has the chance to contribute and benefit," says Dorin Toma, Policy Specialist at UNDP Moldova.

"English, along with digital skills, forms the foundation for building the necessary abilities for the IT workforce. Combining these is now a necessity, not a luxury. We also know that not all schools have equal access to technologies and training in both areas, so UNDP's support in developing student-focused programs combining English and IT brings a new, inclusive perspective to the way pupils learn in schools," says Ana Chirița, Strategic Projects Director at the National Association of ICT Companies.

Women’s presence in Moldova's IT sector: less than one-third of the workforce and only 21% in technical roles

The information technology sector is strategic for the economy of the Republic of Moldova. In 2023, the IT industry generated an impressive turnover of 15.9 billion lei, contributing nearly a quarter to total service exports. The more than 3,300 IT companies employ over 26,000 professionals and the IT jobs come with a variety of benefits and advantages, including diverse opportunities and career paths, competitive salaries, workplace flexibility, long-term stability, and exposure to an innovative and dynamic environment.

The growth of the sector has been accompanied by a gradual increase in employment in ICT. In 2022, approximately 4.6% of Moldova's employed population worked in the information and communications technology sector, but women represented only 33.9% of the workforce in this sector, with just 21% in technical roles. The underrepresentation of women, especially in technical fields, highlights the need for initiatives to support their access to quality education and professional training. In this context, the "English for IT" course played a key role, offering girls and women working or wishing to work in IT the opportunity to improve their linguistic skills, essential for advancing their careers, while encouraging them to become more confident and take on active roles in the workplace.

Learning opportunities aligned with industry demands and global trends

The "English for IT" course combined theoretical lessons with practical activities, and participants praised its relevance to the IT job market requirements. Participants highlighted that the modules focusing on communication, project management, and client relations gave them a significant advantage in understanding and applying industry requirements.

An innovative and interactive curriculum formed the basis of the course's success. Structured in 12 lessons, it addressed relevant topics for the IT sector, such as project management using Agile methods, writing clear tickets in the software development process, software presentations, and conflict resolution in teams. The course included interactive elements such as mock interviews, pronunciation exercises and role-plays to create a dynamic and applicable learning environment. Each lesson was designed to meet the IT industry's requirements in Moldova and help participants apply what they learned practically.

One of the beneficiaries of the course, Maria Graciova, an IT professional from Bălți, decided to switch careers from accounting to IT, after taking a year and a half off for maternity leave. Maria completed software testing courses organized by ATIC and later secured a position as a software testing specialist at an IT company. "Although I already have two years of experience as an IT specialist, the 'English for IT' course proved to be extremely relevant and informative, offering me new and in-depth perspectives on Moldova’s IT industry and mentorship programs for women in technology. It broadened my vision of the industry and the opportunities available in this sector. Now, I am excited to continue my career by studying Automated Testing, a step that perfectly aligns with my growing passion for IT," says Maria.

Alexandra Vitan, a student at the "Iulia Hașdeu" Pedagogical College in Cahul, discovered her passion for technology as a child, drawn to mathematics and the possibilities offered by the IT field. Although her first experiences with IT were limited to basic applications, Alexandra dreamed of learning programming and building a career in web development. Learning English, essential for success in this field, was a challenge at first since she studied French until high school. After enrolling in the "English for IT" course, she found relevant and practical content that exceeded her expectations.

"For me, English is an essential skill in the tech field, which is why when I enrolled in the course, I had high expectations but some reservations, assuming it might just be a routine class. However, from the very first session, I was pleasantly surprised by the practical and engaging content. The lessons, which cover real-life scenarios – from job opportunities in IT to common client interactions and women's experiences in technology – gave me a new perspective I hadn't encountered in my regular curriculum," says Alexandra.

ATIC advocates for the inclusion of English as a mandatory subject in vocational technical institutions. Through this initiative, new opportunities are opened for girls and women in Moldova, contributing to a more inclusive and competitive digital economy.