Diana Mudrinić, Trokut Šibenik: An Opportunity for Youth to Acquire IT Expertise Outside the Educational System

Founded in 2020, the Trokut Šibenik Technology Incubator has quickly been recognized as a place for co-working and office space, education and retraining, a hub for entrepreneurship, and strengthening the entrepreneurial and IT community not only in Šibenik but also beyond. Its tenants include freelancers, digital nomads, developers, startups, and other entrepreneurs at all stages of development. Why Trokut? Simply put, it is located at three sites in Šibenik. We spoke with Diana Mudrinić, the director of the Trokut Šibenik Incubator, about the work of Trokut and its new programs.

This year, the program includes education in data science and full-stack development. What does each of these programs offer?

– Trokut Šibenik is launching a new, 4.0 Trokut NEET Academy, which this year features two programs aimed at young unemployed individuals who are not in the educational system. The NEET Academy is a unique opportunity for all young and active individuals who want to turn a new page in their careers and enter the dynamic world of the IT sector. Over six intensive months, participants will specialize in data ecosystem development, with a strong focus on practical experience that includes internships with our partners. During the internship, participants must create a project that is then evaluated, increasing their chances of employment. The Data Science program is designed to familiarize participants with the essential knowledge required to work with data in the role of a data scientist (data scientist). On the other hand, the Full Stack Developer program offers programming knowledge. A developer or programmer is someone who deals with all aspects of web development: front-end, back-end, server configuration, and applying code to it.

When do the programs start, how long do they last, and who are they intended for?

– Applications for the autumn cycles are already open, and more information about the application conditions and the start of the new Trokut NEET Academy programs can be found on its website www.trokut.eu and social media, or by calling 022/500-200. The deadline for applications for Data Science is September 25, and for the Full Stack Developer program, it is October 25. The Trokut NEET Academy is primarily a retraining program for unemployed youth, but of course, employed individuals can also apply, with the program being charged for them.

The partner of the NEET Academy is the reputable British company in the field of data science, Intuita Consulting. What is the collaboration like?

– Data Science covers a very specific area, and we sought an experienced company in the market that can also conduct lectures. We have been collaborating excellently with Intuita Consulting for the second year now; they are our partner and support in designing and implementing the program. A significant advantage of the Academy is that the lecture program is designed by the company according to its needs, that is, the needs of the market. As a crucial determinant and function of Trokut, creating and promoting a healthy and robust entrepreneurial climate with an emphasis on the ICT industry as the industry of the future is essential.

How will you ensure support for the employment of participants after the Academy?

– We strive to connect the unemployed directly with companies that are looking for expertise in the fields for which we hold the Academy, without intermediaries. This has proven to be a winning combination, as more than eighty percent of participants have found employment after completing the Academy; the remaining twenty percent did not find jobs for various reasons, primarily personal. Participants are already connecting with partner companies during the Academy’s practical part of the classes, so many of them receive contracts by the end. This aspect brings us the most joy. We remain in constant contact with the others even after the Academy’s completion to connect them with companies in the market. At Trokut, we organized a job fair in early June under the working title Trokut Future Talks: NEET Edition, where candidates could present their work to potential employers. Additionally, our tenants, the leading figures of the startup Playhera, a technology development center in the field of computer games, have formed their team thanks to networking and the IT community in Trokut, consisting of former NEET Academy participants.

How is the IT scene developing in Šibenik? How do Trokut and the NEET Academy contribute to this development?

– Every element of Trokut, from the Office for Digital Nomads, the NEET Academy, to the Think Future conference – all are steps towards ensuring the recognition of Trokut and Šibenik. We have attracted Šibenik residents from Zagreb to return to live and work in Šibenik, and we have attracted foreign companies that have opened branches right in Trokut and are developing their business and employing local talents. So far, a significant foreign investment is on the horizon in a company that ‘was born’ in Trokut. The city of Šibenik has recognized our vision, and last year we received management of two additional entrepreneurial complexes from the city.