Blue Road Academy names DEPT® as its first Global Impact Partner

Marjan Straathof
Marjan Straathof
Global SVP of Marketing
Length
3 min read
Date
11 September 2023

Global digital agency DEPT® is proud to announce it is Blue Road Academy’s first Global Impact Partner. Blue Road Academy was founded in 2018 to address the challenges faced by immigrants seeking quality job opportunities in several countries across Europe.

Black and white picture of a diverse group from blue road academy

DEPT® has been an early supporter of the program, hiring several talented graduates, providing training and office space in multiple countries where Blue Road Academy operates, and having employees serve as trainers and mentors for program participants. Future graduates from Blue Road Academy will also have access to career opportunities across DEPT®’s network, including traineeships and various roles.

“We are creating a global movement for newcomers to launch their careers in the Salesforce ecosystem,” said Gaspar Rodriguez, Co-founder and Managing Director at Blue Road Academy. “We can’t do that without Global Impact Partners like DEPT®, which has been a long-time supporter and has helped enrich the learning experience for program participants thanks to the expertise of many Depsters who have helped with our training.”

To date, Blue Road Academy, formerly known as RefugeeForce, has successfully trained over 275 individuals to launch their careers in the Salesforce ecosystem, and 60% of academy graduates have gone to secure positions at technology companies. One notable graduate is Sima Samara, who fled her home country and had to restart her career because her university degree was not recognized in the Netherlands. She became a Salesforce developer in just five months, and her story was so inspiring that she received an honorary Golden Trailblazer Hoodie on the main keynote stage from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff in 2022. By 2030, Blue Road Academy expects to reach its target of 10.000 trained graduates globally. 

“In our journey to become the best digital agency in the world – and for the world – it is essential that we create a diverse and inclusive team of tech professionals while creating equal opportunities for all,” said Dimi Albers, Global CEO at DEPT®. “Our partnership with Blue Road Academy is an invaluable contribution to achieving this in the right way. Not just for ourselves but also by supporting the tech community at large.”

As a globally Certified B Corporation, DEPT® is committed to making a positive impact on the world. Since 2020, the company has committed to donate 1% of its profits to nonprofits, charities, and organizations in need. The partnership with Blue Road Academy aligns with the company’s mission to invest in critical community issues connected to the digital industry, aiming to diversify DEPT®’s workforce and help other companies in the industry build a more inclusive talent pool.

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Global SVP of Marketing

Marjan Straathof