The 5th edition of Cegeka Academy returns in partnership with ING Bank: A step towards sustainability and growth in Romania’s IT sector

Cegeka Romania is launching the fifth edition of Cegeka Academy in partnership with ING Bank to provide opportunities for student engineers specializing in Python & AI Integration and DevOps. Through this program, the two companies aim to create a balance between junior and senior professionals, essential for the sustainable development of Romania’s IT industry.

"We are aware of the challenges juniors face when looking for their first job and understand how important it is for them to have access to opportunities, not just theoretical knowledge. Cegeka Academy is not only about learning but also about opening doors, offering engineers the chance to apply their knowledge and grow in a dynamic environment alongside experienced professionals. We invest in the future not just to train specialists but because a healthy industry needs new, motivated people who are ready to grow with us," said Ovidiu Pinghioiu, Managing Director at Cegeka Romania.

The collaboration with ING Bank Romania adds value to this edition by giving students a broader perspective on the industry and access to the expertise of a global player in the financial and technology sectors. The program combines theoretical and technical training, allowing participants to collaborate with some of the top professionals in the field. By the end of the program, some of the 30 students from Bucharest will have the opportunity to secure a position at Cegeka, working on projects alongside ING Bank Romania. Other students will receive opportunities to join different projects within the company.

"We believe progress comes through knowledge-sharing and supporting those at the beginning of their careers. At ING Bank, we are constantly looking for skilled professionals to tackle the unique challenges of the banking industry. We are excited to join this program and contribute to the development of a new generation of IT specialists, equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate industry challenges," said Delia Albu, IT Lead at ING Bank.

Developing Technical and Soft Skills

The program runs for 12 weeks, from April to July. During this time, students will learn both technical concepts and soft skills such as communication and consulting, preparing them to become well-rounded IT professionals.

"This combination of technical knowledge, soft skills, and consulting will give students a complete understanding of a project from start to finish, helping them see how each technical decision impacts the final outcome. The goal of the program is that by the end of 12 weeks, students will be ready to face industry challenges and develop a consultant mindset—capable of identifying opportunities and proposing effective solutions," said Lucian Popovici, Engineering Director at Cegeka Romania.

In previous editions, Cegeka Academy focused on core technologies such as .NET, Java, Front-end, QA, and DevOps. Starting with this fifth edition, the focus will shift to Python & AI Integration and DevOps, addressing the growing need for specialists in automation and data utilization.

Master’s students or final-year undergraduates interested in joining Cegeka Academy can apply until April 10 by visiting this link.

Cegeka Academy

Cegeka Academy was launched in 2019 to support the training of new generations of engineers and contribute to the balanced growth of Romania’s IT industry. Each year, the program has evolved to offer students not just learning opportunities but also professional integration into an environment where they can continuously develop. Some of the first-edition graduates have now become mentors, guiding new generations.

"I am grateful for the crucial role this program played in my development as an engineer. It prepared me for the ‘shock’ of entering the industry as a graduate. Beyond equipping me with valuable knowledge in Java, SQL, and frameworks like Hibernate and Spring, the most important aspect was having experienced mentors who guided me. Now, I am proud to give back as a mentor, helping future engineers find their path in IT. Cegeka Academy didn’t just provide me with the tools for success—it inspired me to help others achieve their goals," said Andrei Tecsor, a former Cegeka Academy student and now a Java Developer and mentor.

Cegeka Academy provides students with real-world IT experience, offering continuous feedback and exposing them to challenges that require quick decision-making and Agile collaboration. The ultimate goal is for the top students to become part of Cegeka Romania’s team, working alongside experienced engineers and even their former mentors. So far, the company has successfully met this objective: out of 80 graduates, 35 have been hired by Cegeka.