IDB Lab joins SoftBank in supporting “Data Science for All/Empowerment” (DS4A/Empowerment), a new effort designed to upskill and prepare jobseekers from underprivileged populations for data science careers. Developed by Correlation One, DS4A/Empowerment aims to provide new pathways to economic opportunity in the world’s fastest-growing industries.
“Developing human capital is key to reducing poverty and creating more inclusive societies, but in Latin America and the Caribbean, there are gaps that leave many without the possibility of acquiring critical skills to succeed in an increasingly changing and technological world. Our support to this initiative adds to the various efforts we are promoting to change this reality", said Irene Arias, CEO of IDB Lab. IDB Lab will offer 10 full-ride fellowships to candidates from disadvantaged populations, prioritizing women, in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Participants in the program will receive 13 weeks of data and analytics training (plus optional Python training) while working on case studies and projects, including projects submitted by SoftBank portfolio companies. The initiative will also connect participants with mentors who will provide professional development and career coaching. At the end of the program, external participants will be connected with employment opportunities at SoftBank and leading enterprises across business, financial services, technology, healthcare, consulting, and consumer sectors.
“We need talent with a deep understanding of data science to build the companies of the future,” said Marcelo Claure, CEO of SoftBank Group International. “This is about building new pathways to employment -- and, in turn, economic mobility -- for workers, while also enabling business leaders to address critical talent gaps,” said Rasheed Sabar, CEO, and Co-Founder of Correlation One.
Program and Registration Details
DS4A Empowerment is an online program presented in English over a 13-week period. Classes will convene on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm ET, beginning on April 17, 2021.
Registration for the program ends on March 7, 2021. Candidates who should consider applying include employees of SoftBank affiliated portfolio companies in the region as well as software engineers, technical product managers, technical marketers, and anyone with a STEM background who is interested in learning data analysis. To apply and learn more about the program, interested candidates can visit the official DS4A Empowerment website: https://www.correlation-one.com/ds4a-empowerment
For program-related inquiries, please contact [email protected].
About IDB Lab
IDB Lab is the innovation laboratory of the IDB Group, the leading source of development finance and know-how for improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
The purpose of IDB Lab is to drive innovation for inclusion in the region, by mobilizing financing, knowledge, and connections to test early-stage solutions with the potential to transform the lives of vulnerable populations affected by economic, social, and/or environmental factors.
Since 1993 IDB Lab has approved more than US$ 2 billion in projects deployed across 26 LAC countries. www.idblab.org
About SoftBank
The SoftBank Group invests in breakthrough technology to improve the quality of life for people around the world. The SoftBank Group is comprised of SoftBank Group Corp. (TOKYO: 9984), an investment holding company that includes telecommunications, internet services, AI, smart robotics, IoT, and clean energy technology providers; the SoftBank Vision Funds, which are investing up to $100 billion to help extraordinary entrepreneurs transform industries and shape new ones; and the SoftBank Latin America Fund, the largest venture fund in the region. To learn more, please visit https://global.softbank.
About Correlation One
Correlation One is on a mission to build the most equitable vocational school of the future. We believe that data literacy is the most important skill for the future of work. We make data fluency a competitive edge for firms through global data science competitions, rigorous data skills assessments, and enterprise-focused data science training.
Correlation One's solutions are used by some of the most elite employers all around the world in finance, technology, healthcare, insurance, consulting, and governmental agencies. Since launching in 2015, Correlation One has built an expert community of 250,000+ data scientists and 600+ partnerships with leading universities and data science organizations in the US, UK, Canada, China, and Latin America. https://www.correlation-one.com/about