We boost the talent of companies and individuals

• The Employability and Digital Talent Study 2024 by the VASS Foundation and the Fundación Universidad Autónoma de Madrid reveals that, without the participation of women, the digital transformation will not reach its full potential. 
• The report highlights the impact of generative Artificial Intelligence on the labour market and how the incorporation of female talent is still a pending issue in the technology sectors. 
• Antonio Rueda, Director of the VASS Foundation: "Gender diversity is not only a matter of justice, it is an imperative for the equitable development of emerging technologies such as AI". 
• In this context, the VASS Foundation is organising the webinar "If AI learns from us, why does it ignore women?"which will be held on Thursday 27 February at 16:00h in an online format. 

Madrid, 13 February 2025 - As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes the cornerstone of digital transformation, a critical concern arises: the lack of female representation in key technology sectors. The Digital Talent and Employability Study 2024The VASS Foundation and the Fundación Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, with the collaboration of GenAIA, the first Generative AI association in Spain, brings to the table the alarming gender gap in the development and adoption of AI, with only 22% of women actively participating in this discipline according to data from UNESCO's World Economic Forum. 

The report notes that Artificial Intelligence, and especially generative AI, is reshaping work and business dynamics, but the dearth of women in this field is limiting its potential for growth and equity. "AI is one of the most disruptive technologies of our time, but without greater inclusion of women, we will not be able to harness its full potential to transform society.", he points out Antonio Rueda, Director of the VASS Foundation. 

Women out of the centre of technological progress 

According to the study, although digital transformation is booming, with sectors such as AI growing exponentially, female participation remains limited, especially in technical and leadership roles.. The figures are clear: only 18% of women major in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), which significantly reduces their presence in the sectors that are shaping the future of employment. 

"The low percentage of women in these areas is not only a problem of representation, but also of diversity in the development of technological solutions".he adds Wheel. "AI is destined to impact every aspect of our lives, and it is imperative that women's vision and voices are integrated into its development from the outset.." 

Artificial Intelligence and Employment: A Paradigm Shift 

Generative AI is transforming the labour market, automating tasks and creating new employment opportunities. However, this development is also introducing challenges in terms of skills and competences. The study by the VASS Foundation and the Fundación Universidad Autónoma de Madrid highlights that companies are facing difficulties in filling AI-related positions due to a lack of qualified talent, especially among women.. 

"It is difficult to achieve the desired expansion without greater participation of women".the report stresses. The number of women enrolled in computer science degrees has increased by 127.5% since 2015, with better performance ratios than men, but they still only account for 21% of graduates in these fields. 

In addition, the ICT sector has a significant gender gapas only the 29.81 pct3 of those employed in the sector are women, compared to 46.31 pct3 in the rest of the Spanish economy.. 

"There is a considerable gap between the skills demanded by the market and those possessed by university graduates, and this is even more accentuated in the case of women".he says Wheel. "Initiatives to bring women into training in AI and other emerging technologies are needed to help them take advantage of the job opportunities of the future. 

In this context, the VASS Foundation organises the webinar "If AI learns from us, why does it ignore women?"which will be held next Thursday 27 February at 16:00h in online format. This event will feature the participation of Verónica Sánchez Medero, Global Capital Markets Leader at VASS and member of GenAIA, and will address the lack of female representation in the development of AI, as well as the importance of reskilling and upskilling, the promotion of STEM and applied research to ensure an inclusive AI. 

Inequality of opportunity: an urgent issue 

The study also reveals that the barriers to women's inclusion in AI are not only educational, but also structural. There are gender biases in recruitment processes and in the promotion of women to leadership positions in the technology sector. This perpetuates the lack of female role models and discourages young women from opting for these careers. 

"It is crucial that equal opportunity policies are put in place at all levels, from education to the workplace. We cannot allow women to continue to be excluded from the technological advances that will define the future of work.he stresses Wheel. 

A call to action: boosting female talent in the age of AI 

The VASS Foundation, through its study, urges governments, educational institutions and companies to take urgent action to close the gender gap in the technology sector. The creation of specific training programmes for women in AI, the promotion of female role models in STEM careers and the implementation of inclusion policies are some of the key recommendations of the report.. 

"Diversity is a source of innovation. If we want AI to be truly inclusive and representative of all of society, we need more women to be part of its development and application", concludes Antonio Rueda. "The future of digital transformation must be inclusive, and that will only be possible if we fully integrate female talent." 

57% of companies find it difficult to find ICT specialists 

• CyberTech Academy is a new online educational programme, with courses taught by VASS professionals and experts in the digital sector. 

• Thanks to the agreement with VASS University and the VASS Foundation, Linkia FP students will acquire high-demand skills and will be able to access grants for specialisation courses aimed at increasing their employability. 

Madrid, 14 November 2024 - At a time when digital transformation is setting the pace of the labour market and there is a growing shortage of skilled professionals in the technology sector, Linkia FP and VASS University have signed a collaboration agreement to train Vocational Training students in key digital skills. 

According to the European Commission's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) Report (2023), Spanish companies are having serious difficulties in finding the digital talent they need57% reported problems in finding specialists in the ICT sector. The most difficult roles to fill include cybersecurity specialists, software and Big Data experts. 

The alliance between Linkia FP and VASS University aims to provide future professionals in the technology sector with up-to-date knowledge and to offer training that responds directly to the needs of companies and the labour market. The partnership will give Linkia FP students and alumni exclusive access to CyberTech Academy, a fully online training programme designed by VASS University.  

In this environment, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in innovative topics, taught by active VASS professionals and experts from leading IBEX35 companies. The content focuses on areas of high demand in the technology sector.The programme is designed to ensure that participants acquire the skills most valued by the market. 

The main areas of CyberTech Academy training are related to programming, cloud computing, network administration or cybersecurity.The following are some of the fields in which companies have serious difficulties in recruiting qualified talent. These training areas include: Scrum, Kanban Methodology, Python, Responsive Design, Git: Version Control, Jira, Introduction to QA Specialisation, Cloud Computing and Cloud Architecture, Databases in the Cloud, Server Administration, Advanced Networks: VPNs, Firewalls and WAN, Network Design: Infrastructure, Technologies and Performance, Pentesting and Security Testing, and Switched Network Design, among others. 

 
In addition to this innovative training offer, Linkia FP students will be eligible for scholarships provided by the VASS Foundation for the Promotion of Digital Talent, which will give them access to highly specialised courses, with durations ranging from 40 to 180 hours. These training courses, which will be held periodically, are focused on obtaining certifications and technical qualifications that are in great demand by cutting-edge technology companies. 

Víctor Gómez Baudet, CEO of Linkia FPpoints out that "This alliance represents a decisive step forward in our commitment to offer vocational training aligned with the current demands of the labour market. Thanks to the collaboration with VASS University, we reinforce two fundamental principles of Linkia FP: to ensure a successful job placement for our students and to connect with the needs of our partner companies.". 

For its part, Antonio Rueda Guglieri, Director of VASS Universitynotes that "CyberTech Academy responds to a new vision of expert learning, enriching formal education with the applied perspective of the professional world. It is not just about teaching digital skills, but incorporating a dynamic, labour market-oriented vision that addresses the needs of a constantly evolving sector. This collaboration will open new doors for students, giving them access to valuable certifications and a network of contacts essential for their professional development in the digital world.". 
 

About Linkia FP 

Linkia FP is an Official Vocational Training institution with more than 12 years of experience, being one of the first centres to offer official online vocational training in Spain, and with more than 15,000 graduates. 

Since its inception, its objective has been to make vocational training more accessible in order to connect talent with the labour market. Its educational model, based on a high-performance methodology and under the concept of learning by doing, offers its students the opportunity to develop practical skills and updated to the needs of companies. 

About VASS Foundation  

The VASS Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to the promotion of digital talent in society. Through research, training, educational cooperation and innovation, it promotes digital transformation as a lever to foster social inclusion and universal accessibility. 

With the conviction that digital talent can not only generate equal opportunities but also turn Spain into the digital hub of Europe, the Foundation develops initiatives that promote the employability of people in vulnerable situations, young people, women and people with disabilities. 

In collaboration with universities, academic institutions, companies, public and social entities, the VASS Foundation works to strengthen society in the face of the challenges of the technological future, under the firm commitment to promote digital talent for All. 

About VASS 

VASS is a global digital transformation company that puts organisations at the forefront of innovation, bringing together talent, knowledge and technology. 

With our digital solutions, we accompany people and organisations around the world in their transition to the future. Our 5,000 experts in 26 countries across Europe, the Americas and Asia work alongside our customers, partners and key allies, delivering high-level digital innovation solutions and services, facilitating the transformation and evolution of key sectors such as financial services and banking, retail, insurance, public administration, telecommunications and media, among others. 

Our approach is based on mindful technology development, created to drive positive change and momentum in creating relevant opportunities for people and organisations through technology. 

VASS UNIVERSITY presents its new Liferay online course, aimed at training portal developers in Liferay. Digital Experience Platform (DXP) market leader. This programme offers you the opportunity to learn how to develop websites, e-commerce portals and more with Liferayused by thousands of companies globally.

The course is designed to train future Back-End and Front-End Developersand will run from 4 November to 19 December 2024. Participants must pass a JAVA or Frontend level test and have a minimum English level of B2. At the end of the course, participants will receive a diploma and access to the VASS job bank.

With a total duration of 72 hours, distributed in two specialisation modules, the programme costs 800 €, although VASS FOUNDATION offers 10 scholarships that cover 100% of the price..

For more information and registration, go to this link.

Following the success of the first two editions, with nearly 50 students trained, the next 17 June a new round of the Expert Programme in Application Development with AIVASS UNIVERSITY and QUALENTUM, the employability division of VASS UNIVERSITY, are teaching in collaboration with QUALENTUM. International University of La Rioja. 

Over the course of 20 weeks, a team of expert teachers from INTELYGENZ, the AI division of the VASS ecosystem, will offer a theoretical and practical vision that will allow participants to acquire expert knowledge in this cutting-edge field. 

Throughout the programme, which will end with the development of a practical work, you will acquire skills related to "communication", "productivity", "teamwork", "management", "empathy", and there will be a cross-cutting module on Programming in Python. Relevant and applied issues of AI/Machine Learning; Deep Learning; Foundation models and generative models; and Strategies for designing AI-based solutions in production will be addressed from a novel perspective. According to the programme director, Gabriel Muñoz, Artificial Intelligence Scientist, "the transformation of talent experienced in this programme is radical". 

Regarding the student profile, previous knowledge in areas related to software development is recommended, such as proficiency in programming languages like Python, experience in the use of data analysis and numerical libraries (Numpy, Pyspark...) as well as a solid theoretical understanding in statistics and mathematics. It is also aimed at professionals with experience in the field of Artificial Intelligence, such as data scientists, Machine Learning engineers or software engineers specialised in Machine Learning projects.

Places are limited and the registration process is now open:

• IA Employment Programme: https://www.qualentum.com/candidato/experto-en-ia/ 
• Full IA programme (with syllabus): https://www.qualentum.com/candidato/experto-en-ia/metodologia-experto-en-ia/ 
• Link to register for the programme: https://www.qualentum.com/candidato/experto-en-ia/