Paf snaps up eight students from in-house grit:lab training programme

Paf has lauded the success of its in-house training programme, grit:lab, after permanently hiring eight scheme graduates.

The Åland Islands-based operator confirmed 10 additional tech companies in the region have snapped up students directly from the programme.

The training scheme, which was first announced in 2021, aims to train students to become software developers.

Grit:lab is project-based and teacher-free, with the platform having been developed in tandem with the Åland government.

The programme runs for 18 months, with the final third of the training seeing students choose a specialism such as cybersecurity, AI or machine learning.

Paf added that the programme is now enrolling prospective students ahead of the new term in Autumn 2024, with applicants from more than 70 countries having already signalled their interest.

Daniela Johansson, Paf deputy CEO, said: “The tech programme’s campus is located in our head office, which gives us a natural connection to the students and a good knowledge of the skills they have acquired.

“Paf has a strong focus on tech development and a need for new hires. The students from grit:lab have given us a good opportunity for new recruitment,” she added.

Anna-Lena Svenblad, grit:lab director, commented: “The fact that many of the students have already managed to get a job is clear proof that the level of knowledge they have achieved in just 18 months is in demand in the tech cluster we have in Åland.”

Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.