Codecool and SDA merge to create tech training and sourcing hub in Central Europe

The EU is currently struggling with a shortfall of approximately 1.8 million ICT experts, with both missing skills and under-qualification. While the pandemic led to increased demand for cyber skills, there is still a cybersecurity workforce gap of more than 2.72 million positions globally. In the U.K., tech job opportunities have hit a ten-year high as the demand for skilled workers outgrows the level of digital skills available. Also, an important goal under the European Commission’s Digital Decade program is to employ 20 million ICT specialists by 2030. 

Focusing on the biggest digital talent pool in the continent in the Central European region, Budapest-based Codecool and Poland-based Software Development Academy (SDA) have joined hands to create a bigger digital skilling and sourcing powerhouse.

The merged edtech company has a presence in eight countries, including Poland, Hungary, Romania, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Estonia, and Albania. The company will keep expanding into new geographic territories, strengthening its position in the digital skills training sector. 

Gaining digital skills is a global requirement and the merged company can help the EU and the U.K. to upskill workers or fill recruitment gaps. The company claims to have a 50% annual growth rate in student enrolment. As more and more organisations need digital reskilling programs, the newly merged entity will support both upskilling and reskilling on a large scale.

It will train 15,000-20,000 individuals annually and work with nearly 400 global and local brands from the Central European region, with key partners including Accenture, Microsoft, Motorola, Morgan Stanley, Ericsson and Vodafone. With over 300 employees, 17 digital reskilling pathways, and a network of 1,600 mentors, the merged company offers skilling, upskilling, and reskilling to individuals, companies and governments.

Michał Mysiak, CEO of SDA said: “There is a global battle for digital talent, especially coders and programmers. Our main aim is to provide high-quality digital skilling for employees and employers - but on a much larger scale. The combination of Codecool and SDA - with distinct regional and category strengths - will boost the skills level of Central Europeans who are hungry to learn and will be pivotal to the digital transformation of Europe and beyond.” 

József Boda, CEO of Codecool added: “This is an exciting new chapter for both companies where we create a real powerhouse for digitalization. Through our consolidated digital skilling programs, we continue to serve the needs of individuals, companies and governments. Graduates from our courses are in high demand, especially as Western European and U.S. organisations look to outsource or find additional talent while lowering costs.”