The Åland Government has given Paf the task of starting up and running a tech education for 50 talented software developers. The education is carried out completely without teachers and classes, where the student’s own ability to develop is in focus.

grit:lab is a new and alternative IT education that in 2022 will start educating 50 students to become tech developers of the future. The education is a kind of coding school that is based on the 01 edu platform’s pedagogy, an alternative education in contrast to the traditional education within IT. The education is completely project-based, teacher free and without regular classes and follows a gamified two-year learning process.

“This is an interesting and exciting educational concept, where students learn to learn for themselves. It will be an excellent complement to current education and I think that a learning process without regular classes can be good for many students,” says Annika Hambrudd, Minister of Education in Åland’s provincial government.

The need for tech-talented people is great both on Åland and throughout the Nordic region.

“This is an important investment for our tech companies in Åland, which have a large demand for IT-educated personnel. I strongly believe in this modern concept of educating oneself in IT. Where different people with different backgrounds are combined with the creativity that exists in the Paf house,” says Fredrik Karlström, Minister of Trade and Industry in Åland’s provincial government.

The training will be run by Paf in Paf’s head office on Åland. It gives students an excellent proximity to the latest technology and a tech inspired campus environment.

“We are convinced that this will be good and in the end grit:lab can help us find the tech talents we need.”

“But the training is not only for Paf, it is for all IT companies. And we hope that many companies want to become partner companies for the education program so that we together can both help and get help from the IT students,” says Daniela Johansson deputy CEO and CRO at Paf.

The foundation for the education began in France and there are now similar educations in 40 different countries around the world. No previous basic knowledge of coding or IT is needed, in order to be admitted to the education.

“grit:lab is looking for those who have talent and the right personal drive forward, regardless of their age, gender or where they come from. I have no doubt that these students will get a tech job after their education,” says Francois Maugis, CTO at Paf.