This blog was written by Luciana Depieri, Chief People & Administrative Officer at Logicalis Latam.

My home country, Brazil, is a dynamic and vibrant nation. However, not everyone has access to the same employment opportunities. Like Cisco, the company I work for, Logicalis, is committed to creating a better world for the communities we serve, and we believe in the value of Cisco's purpose to "Power an Inclusive Future for All."

That's why, in 2023, Logicalis Latin America launchedLevel Up. Level Up is a program that combines a technical curriculum with the development of soft skills, designed to help participants build their knowledge and enable them to compete for roles in the technology sector. It is remote-based and free, making it more accessible to all.

As we developed the program, we wanted to use best-in-class, leading-edge technical content. So, we leveraged our existing partnership with Cisco and integrated the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum into our course content. We believe that this, coupled with transferable skills training focused on collaboration, customer experience, project management, and other areas, can help students differentiate themselves from other candidates in the marketplace.

The Mentorship Journey

In addition to the training, each participant is accompanied by a Logicalis mentor. These Logicalis professionals volunteer their time to guide participants' journeys by offering personalized follow-ups, encouragement, professional advice, and confidence-building as participants work toward their certifications and prepare for careers in the tech field.

Mentorships are a unique aspect of Level Up, and I know firsthand how rewarding these relationships can be. During one of the cohorts, I was paired with a woman who was changing careers. As I shared insights from my career, she shared her personal experiences. Our exchanges helped me better understand the specific support she needed and broadened my perspective on how I might serve others through the program.Mayt