From Junior to Senior: What Growth Looks Like at SOFTEC Academy?

It was 2016, and at SOFTEC, we were facing a challenge shared by the entire IT industry: there was a shortage of experienced frontend developers on the job market. Rather than waiting for ready-made experts to come along, we decided to give young people a chance and train them in-house in the technologies they needed. And that is how the idea of SOFTEC Academy was born. 

This year marks 10 years of SOFTEC Academy. Over the past decade, more than 300 graduates have completed the programme, supported along the way by approximately 150 mentors. For many of our colleagues, the Academy was their first step into the professional world of IT. It was a place where they gained their first work experience, learned from more experienced colleagues, and grew not only as professionals but also as individuals. 

So what does SOFTEC Academy look like today? Take a look behind the scenes and hear from the leaders, mentors and graduates who are part of its story.

What Is SOFTEC Academy (and Why Does It Matter)? 

SOFTEC Academy is our internal training programme for newcomers. It helps them settle in, get to know our company culture and processes, build their professional skills and gradually start working on real IT projects. It is primarily intended for university students and graduates specialising in IT, but it also offers opportunities to junior professionals who have yet to gain practical experience in software development or IT analysis. 

Since people join the Academy with different levels of experience, we tailor the training programme to the individual needs of each new colleague. 

Contrary to what some might think, the Academy is not an unpaid internship. It is part of our standard onboarding process, which gives new colleagues the time, space and support to handle their first challenges at work. Rather than throwing them in at the deep end, we help them build confidence step by step and get ready for real project work. Along the way, they can rely on a mentor and a team leader, hands-on practice assignments and onboarding materials.

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But the Academy is about much more than technology and technical knowledge. It is also a place where new colleagues begin their career journeys together, learn from one another, support each other, and gradually build not only professional relationships but also friendships.

Today, the Academy is an integral part of SOFTEC's company culture. It naturally brings together our values, such as knowledge sharing, teamwork, and commitment, ensuring they are more than just words on paper and come to life every day through collaboration between colleagues.

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How Does SOFTEC Academy Work? 

SOFTEC Academy begins as soon as a new colleague joins the company and typically lasts one to two months. During this period, newcomers gradually put their knowledge into practice, whether through training assignments or by working on simpler tasks within real projects. 

Every newcomer is supported by an experienced mentor who helps them master the necessary technologies and develop their professional skills. In addition to their mentor, they also have a team leader who helps them navigate company processes and become familiar with the company culture. 

This means new colleagues become part of the team from day one. They take part in regular meetings, including daily stand-ups with their mentor and weekly status meetings with their team leader and fellow newcomers. During these meetings, they review their progress, share experiences, and plan their next steps. They gradually work towards completing tasks and achieving the individual goals they set together with their mentor at the beginning of the Academy.

While newcomers in the Academy's early years learned primarily through shared projects, today the programme is built around an individual approach. After all, everyone arrives with different experiences, knowledge, and expectations. Some are just discovering the world of professional IT, while others already have some work experience and need to familiarise themselves with new technologies or project environments. 

Together with their mentor, each newcomer therefore sets individual goals covering both technical and soft skills, following the SMART methodology. They regularly assess their progress and adjust further training based on the results achieved. They also have access to an internal learning portal containing study materials on various technologies, allowing them to expand their knowledge at their own pace. 

An essential part of the Academy is applying newly acquired knowledge in practice. Through training assignments and practical tasks, newcomers test, reinforce, and further develop their skills. When working on tasks, they can turn to their mentor, discuss ideas, explore different solutions together, and receive valuable feedback. 

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Once they have successfully completed a training assignment, the next important step follows: getting involved in a real IT project. New colleagues gradually take on specific tasks, gain hands-on project experience, and learn to work increasingly independently. With their mentor's support and close collaboration with the team, they make a smooth transition from training to real project work. 

Successful completion of the Academy is marked by a formal certificate presentation and a final discussion, during which the newcomer and their mentor reflect on the programme and exchange feedback. This symbolically brings the onboarding period to a close while marking the beginning of the next stage of career development at SOFTEC. 

When a Newcomer Becomes a Mentor 

Mentoring is one of the key pillars of SOFTEC Academy. While mentoring was initially taken on mainly by more experienced colleagues, younger team members are now also actively involved in sharing their knowledge. Over time, we have learned that being a good mentor is not simply a matter of years of experience. In fact, having a fresh memory of your own beginnings and the challenges you faced can be a real advantage. 

Mentoring therefore creates opportunities for growth on both sides. While newcomers gain valuable experience and support as they take their first steps in the professional IT world, mentors develop not only their technical expertise but also their communication and leadership skills through knowledge sharing. In this way, the Academy creates an environment where colleagues learn from one another and grow together.

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One example is the story of Matúš Kyseľ, the very first graduate of SOFTEC Academy. Back in 2016, he started out as a newcomer learning from more experienced colleagues. Today, he passes on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of talent as a mentor and also contributes to the development of training materials. 

Matúš's story is far from unique. Over the past ten years, many similar career journeys have unfolded at SOFTEC. They show that the Academy is just the beginning of a journey in which a newcomer can gradually become an experienced professional, mentor, or leader. 

From a Single Workshop to a Recognisable Brand 

SOFTEC Academy has undergone significant development over the past ten years. Its beginnings were sometimes quite amusing, and we still look back on them fondly. The first training assignments were put together somewhat on the fly, but new experiences, ideas, and improvements gradually followed. Today, the Academy has a well-developed onboarding system, carefully designed training assignments, and clearly defined processes. 

Alongside the internal training programme, our activities for students also continued to expand. The first technical workshops were gradually joined by events held directly at universities, ASAP workshops focused on IT analysts, and online formats during the pandemic. Of course, things did not always go according to plan. For example, only five participants attended one of our first post-pandemic events, which we organised at Einpark. Even experiences like these helped us move forward and motivated us to find new ways of bringing the Academy closer to young people. 

That is why we gradually began taking a more systematic approach to communicating the Academy's activities. Working together with our marketing team, SOFTEC Academy developed its own visual identity, a consistent communication style, and a stronger presence on social media and at universities. 

Our goal was for students to become familiar with the Academy even before deciding to apply for a job at SOFTEC. We wanted them to know what opportunities it offers, what they can learn, and who will support them as they take their first steps in the professional world of IT. 

Get to Know SOFTEC at Our Open Day 

But what is the best way to introduce students to the Academy, the people behind it, and the opportunities it offers? By inviting them to visit us in person. That is why SOFTEC Academy Open Days have become an important part of our activities. 

During these events, students and graduates have the opportunity to explore our working environment, meet our experts, talk to mentors, and hear firsthand experiences from colleagues who have completed the Academy themselves. This gives them an authentic insight not only into how the training programme works but also into the people, atmosphere, and company culture at SOFTEC. 

Interest in our Open Days has been steadily growing. In April 2026, we welcomed a record 71 participants. Our colleagues also play a major role in the success of these events. They actively contribute to their preparation, share their experiences, and help students gain a clearer idea of what starting a career at SOFTEC could look like.

From First Work Experiences to Shared Memories 

Informal activities are also an essential part of SOFTEC Academy. Throughout the year, we organise shared breakfasts, workshops, and Akadémiovice – social and sporting events where newcomers can get to know each other better outside the workplace. 

These gatherings help build friendships, strengthen team spirit, and create an environment where everyone feels part of the team. For some, the Academy represents their first work experience. For others, it is the place where they found colleagues and friends for years to come. 

"Academy is where people begin their journey at the company. They go through the same period together, help one another, and friendships naturally develop between them. These friendships often last even after they move into different teams and divisions. And I believe it is precisely these relationships, formed right at the beginning, that help bring our company together."  – Peter Kampa, Director of SOFTEC Academy 

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10 Years of Meaningful Growth

At SOFTEC, we believe that growth does not happen on its own. When someone starts a new role, they need time, space, and people who can help them find their feet. Because people grow best in an environment where they support one another, share their experience, and help each other succeed. 

Your career could start at SOFTEC Academy, too. Follow our website and social media channels so you don't miss new career opportunities for Trainee Developers and Trainee Analysts.