Santa Catarina multinational invests in initiatives to develop and train talent in the sector
The job market for technology-related professions in Brazil has shown significant expansion, with an increase of up to 7,40% in the last ten years, according to data from the Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of São Paulo (FecomercioSP). In 2023, the country invested around US$$ 50 billion in information technology, according to a survey by the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES).
Despite this rapid growth and significant investments, the shortage of qualified professionals continues to be a major challenge. According to Senior Sistemas Corporate University Manager Aline Ras, several factors explain this difficulty. “The time needed for professionals to acquire experience in the field is a relevant aspect, since the generation raised with technology is still entering the job market, which reduces the availability of more experienced talent. In addition, the rapid advancement of technology makes it difficult for newcomers to the IT sector to adapt to the demands of the positions.”
A survey of the Google for Startups reinforces this scenario: 54% of potential talents consider junior positions in the sector to be very demanding, while 55% point to the lack of adequate conditions for studying technology in Brazil as an obstacle to professional training.
To address the shortage of qualified professionals, some companies have adopted strategies that go beyond traditional career plans, investing in training not only their employees, but also the ecosystem around them. Senior Sistemas – one of the largest software companies in Brazil – is an example of this approach, promoting initiatives that prepare technology professionals for market demands. The company invests in the Corporate University, the GoDev program and supports Junior Achievement, with the aim of offering opportunities to technology enthusiasts who are entering the field, whether looking for their first job or transitioning into a career. These actions, aligned with the growing demand in the technology sector, help to reduce the skills gap and expand access to qualified professionals.
GoDev
Launched in 2021, GoDev is a 10-month training program for developers and careers in technology. However, participants can be hired before completion, with an average hiring time of just three months. The program reinforces Senior Sistemas' commitment to developing talent, offering comprehensive support to professionals at the beginning of their careers. Structured in an incubator format, it allows participants to be trained by a team of specialists, under the coordination of the Corporate University. The training is paid and includes a benefits package, such as food vouchers, transportation vouchers, and other advantages granted to employees at Senior's headquarters.
From 2021 to 2024, 215 professionals went through the program, of which 154 remain at Senior Sistemas. “Participants develop practical skills in creating software through training led by instructors and with support from the technical team. They also have access to a study platform that complements the training with theoretical content and practical exercises. In addition, they work individually and as a team, improving both their technical and behavioral skills. This dynamic encourages active learning, collaboration and problem-solving,” explains the Development Coordinator responsible for GoDev, Silvia Gesser.
The initiative opens doors for talents looking to take their first steps in a career in technology, such as João Ricardo Puel, who joined the program and, after four months, was hired as a Software Developer at the company. “I had the opportunity to participate in GoDev and, during the training, I deepened my knowledge of Java and Angular. In addition, I learned to adopt good development practices and ensure code quality through unit tests and fundamental concepts. This experience was crucial to consolidate my trajectory as a developer and prepare me for the challenges of the job market.” Another success story is that of Nicole Bauchspiess, who currently works as a Developer on Senior’s Platform team. “I decided to enroll in the program because I always dreamed of pursuing a career in development. At the time, I was transitioning from support and saw the program as an opportunity for professional growth. The initiative was essential for my technical development, allowing me to apply good programming practices and gain experience with tools such as Jira and GitLab.”
The company also sponsors basic training programs in the region, such as Entra21, +Devs2Blu and Jovem Programador, expanding young talents' access to concrete opportunities in the technology sector.
Junior Achievement
Since 2010, Senior Sistemas has also been one of the companies that support Junior Achievement (JA), the largest and oldest organization in the world dedicated to practical education in economics and business, with a presence in over 100 countries. Founded in 1919, its goal is to inspire and prepare new generations for the future through programs that develop essential skills, such as entrepreneurship, financial education and preparation for the world of work. In Santa Catarina, JA has the collaboration of over 19 thousand volunteers and the partnership of hundreds of educational institutions in over 200 cities. “The program developed is “Connected with Tomorrow”, which provides students with a moment to reflect on their future, offering career perspectives and information on the behavioral skills valued in the job market. In this context, our team of volunteers shares experiences in the technology area and addresses topics such as the job market, leadership, feedback, career management, resume, job interview and entrepreneurship”, comments the Social Responsibility analyst at Senior, Marilda Chiarelli.
Since the beginning of the partnership, 602 Senior volunteers have participated in the programs, impacting 8,179 students in 66 editions held in 31 schools in Blumenau. For 2025, Senior plans to implement a new initiative, the Innovation Camp, which will provide high school students with practical experience in solving complex problems. The program seeks to improve socio-emotional skills that are essential for future professionals, such as teamwork, critical thinking, communication, experimentation and empathy, using an innovative methodology.
Connection with Educational Institutions
During 2024, Senior carried out 15 technical visits to its headquarters, located in Blumenau, totaling 728 participants. These visits provide students with direct contact with the reality of the technology market, allowing them to get to know Senior's structure, its processes and the opportunities available in the area.
For Silvia De Pieri Oliveira, executive manager of the Vale do Itajaí Regional Office of FIESC – SESI/SC, SENAI/SC and IEL/SC, partnerships with companies like Senior are essential for students to understand the local job market, spark their interest in working in the region and be able to structure their life projects with a view to the opportunities in the sector. “We conduct technical visits with all classes of technical and undergraduate courses and some classes of initial and continuing education courses. Many participants are young people who are not yet familiar with the job market, while others are in career transition and are not familiar with technology companies. For both profiles, this experience is essential for them to recognize themselves as future professionals in the area”, says Silvia.
With initiatives that go beyond technical training, Senior Sistemas reaffirms its commitment to training, inclusion and talent development, strengthening its connection with society and contributing to the sustainable growth of the technology sector.
About Senior
Senior Sistemas is the choice of market-leading companies seeking innovation and high-performance management. The multinational offers a complete portfolio that covers all stages of the production chain in strategic sectors of the economy, such as Agribusiness, Wholesale and Distribution, Construction, Industry and Logistics. With over 35 years of excellence, Senior has transformed the management of over 13,000 medium and large-sized economic groups in Brazil. With 11 branches and three thousand employees in Brazil and abroad, Senior maintains 160 distribution channels and has grown over 20% per year in net revenue for five consecutive years. Senior believes that, with its deep expertise and technological solutions, it has the opportunity to drive companies towards greater operational efficiency, revenue expansion and leadership in their segments. Therefore, it delivers more than technology. For more information, visit www.senior.com.br.
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