For Companies

Get Skilled Junior Talent, Fulfill Your CSR, and Shape a More Inclusive Tech Industry

The Problem

Switzerland will soon be short of almost 40,000 ICT professionals. At the same time, there is an increasing number of well-qualified, highly motivated people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Switzerland, who are struggling to gain a foothold in the labor market.

We feel it is our responsibility to respond to these challenges. Our response is: empowering refugees & migrants for IT careers.

Our Solution

Since 2017 more than 370 of our bootcamp graduates with migrant or refugee backgrounds have received an internship through us and of these, 250 graduates have subsequently got a job or apprenticeship. We support companies to find entry-level talent while helping them fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibility, bringing diversity into their team as well as contributing to the Social Development Goals Agenda 2030.

years

bootcamp graduates

companies involved

How we work

Entry-level talent

Through our diligent recruiting process, we provide skilled and motivated talents. We train them at entry level and then match them with your company for a 6 to 12-month internship.

Specific preparation

We adapt our training to the demand of the market. Our candidates prepare for their entry into the internship by improving the specific technical skills that your company requires.

Successful integration

We provide mentorship and support during the internship phase. This supports a successful integration into your company. If everyone is satisfied at the end, it can lead to a permanent position.

Get involved

Internship Partner
Meet our Candidates at the Career Day
Select Talents for Job Interviews
Offer a 6 - 12 Month Internship
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Corporate Volunteering
IT Trainers
Job Coaches
Workshop Leaders
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Career Day
Receive all the CVs 2 weeks in advance
Join the Career Day and pick your top candidates
Decide if and to whom you like to offer an internship
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Get in touch
Get insights about our participants, our processes and our impact.
Ask all the questions that you want.
Decide if you like to offer an internship and become a partner.
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"For us, Powercoders is part of our social responsibility towards Switzerland."

Michael Marth, Technology and Software Engineering Leader, Adobe

"We support Powercoders because we share the same goals: For many years we have been investing in the education of future talents. And currently, in times of a shortage of professionals in software development, engagements like those of Powercoders are of tremendous importance."

Andrej Vckovski, CEO, Netcetera

“If integration is to succeed, if we want to enable people to lead independent lives, we need commitment and openness to new avenues. Even if it’s not always easy and certain stumbling blocks need to be overcome along the path. But great things are possible when everyone pulls together.”

Rachel Kwok, Group Technology, UBS

"In keeping with our values and our mutualist roots, we support this approach in line with our social responsibility. The Powercoders program bears the hallmark of solidarity, at a time when our society is becoming increasingly individualized. The integration of Powercoders within our Group allows the exchange of different practices and cultures. This diversity is a strength. The Vaudoise Group is proud to participate in the Powercoders program and encourages other companies to support this approach."

Jean-Daniel Laffely, Directeur général , Vaudoise Assurances

Career Day

The ICT market is lacking talents and our skilled participants are looking for a chance – you can help solve this challenge!
Join our next Career Day: in Zurich 2 November 2026

Join Career Day

What our partners say about us

Remotecoders

Are you a fully remote IT team who wants to boost their resources? Our sister-organization Remotecoders recruits, trains, and employs vulnerable talent in the MENA region and connects them with remote teams in Swiss and European companies.

FAQ

Are people from refugee backgrounds from Powercoders allowed to work in Switzerland?pocowp2024-04-22T11:04:18+02:00

Are people from refugee backgrounds from Powercoders allowed to work in Switzerland?

Yes. The majority of our participants have a refugee state B or F and thus have a work permit and are considered almost like Swiss welfare recipients. The state wants them to be integrated, have a job and become independent.

Our other participants have an S permit. For these people, a work permit must be obtained, although it is not a problem to get this because the cantons want these people to work.

Why offer an internship for Powercoders?pocowp2023-03-16T17:17:24+01:00

Why offer an internship for Powercoders?

An internship for Powercoders is a way to offer talented people from a refugee or migrant background the opportunity to access a doorway into the IT labor market of Switzerland. It is the unique chance for companies to get access to raw talent, get in touch with a person from a refugee or migrant background, and have a strong impact on his or her unusual life story. Almost every company who offered an internship has told us that it was a very enriching experience for all their employees.

How long should an internship last?pocowp2023-03-16T17:18:17+01:00

How long should an internship last?

Out of our experience, the ideal duration of a Powercoders internship is 6 – 12 months.

What level of English do Powercoders participants need to have?Christina Graeni2025-06-10T11:01:23+02:00

What level of English do Powercoders participants need to have?

During the recruitment process, we assess each candidate’s English proficiency. To be accepted into the program, participants must be able to communicate comfortably in English—both orally and in writing. Since all classes are conducted in English and the program is intensive, strong communication skills are essential. The minimum required English level is B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).