Caça Talentos - Tech in Brazil

Ambition

How can we explore Porto Digital’s shortage of programmers to provide more academic and professional opportunities to students?

Roles and Responsibilities

Project Founder and Leader: Business Planning, Pitching, Reaching Out, Networking, Presenting, Marketing, Desining

Project Context

When: 2019 - Present

Team size: Initially a self-led initiative that expanded in scope and team

Timeline: Developed in 6 months

Too long to read?

Summary

This personal project aimed to address the shortage of programmers in Porto Digital, Pernambuco, by creating educational opportunities for students in the tech field through mentorship and scholarships.

I designed and launched the Caça Talentos program, pitched the project to the governor and tech companies, and developed a website to promote the initiative. The program trained 10,000 students in socio-emotional skills, with 1,500 selected for advanced software development courses in Python and Java.

The first edition was successfully executed, with partnerships from various companies and government support. Today this is one of the most important programs of Pernambuco’s Secretary of Work and Entrepreneurship.

The result was a large-scale impact on the local tech ecosystem, providing thousands of students with essential skills, internship opportunities and scholarships. It increasing employability while addressing the programmer shortage in Porto Digital.

👋 Context

In 2019, I was awarded a full scholarship from Programa Ganhe o Mundo to study abroad for one semester. While in my exchange semester, I developed an interest in technology and projects in the field of education.

🎯 Problem

Porto Digital, in Pernambuco, is one of Brazil's most important technological parks. In 2019, it was facing a shortage of programmers. It had about 900 open work spots, which remained unfilled for months.

I saw the problem as an opportunity to provide opportunities to Pernambuco’s students interested in technology.

How can we explore Porto Digital’s shortage of programmers to provide more academic and professional opportunities to students?

💡 Insight

When I returned to Brazil, I developed the Project “Caca Talentos” to positively impact the State of Pernambuco, which provided me with this scholarship opportunity.

I presented the project to the governor of my State in Brazil, Pernambuco. In my pitch, I explained how the idea could address the problem of unemployment in the State’s technological park while also providing educational and professional opportunities to young students.

🎯 Bringing the Project to Life:

I created the project Caca Talento, supported by Pernambuco’s Secretary of Work and Entrepreneurship. It qualifies students from Pernambuco for better employability, providing mentorship and scholarships, especially in the technological area.

Below are a few of the news published about the release of the project! 🤩

Stage 1: Socioemotional Improvement

Through a virtual assistant called ANA, we train approximately 10 thousand people in the first phase for socio-emotional improvement. Applicants are prepared in socio-emotional skills, such as logical reasoning, teamwork, mindfulness, active listening, self-awareness, self-management, and problem-solving for 40 hours.

Stage 2: Training Python and Java

Of the 10,000 people, 1,500 are selected by the Caça Talentos application for software development courses (Python or Java). The content is distributed in 240 hours, with the right to a certificate. Students are then presented with a $500 scholarship and computers.

Learnings:

• This project was significant for me since I got to explore a challenge as an invitation for a creative solution. I created pitch decks and presented my idea to important representatives of the State and relevant tech companies of one of Brazil’s biggest technological park. I learned how to structure my ideas better and utilize design as a tool to bring them to life.