Unlocking the codes to success

Yani Guerrero’s passion for technology began early. “From a very young age, I’ve been interested in technology. My father motivated me, while playing with blocks as a kid, he taught me the principles of coding, and always encouraged me to move forward,” she shares. This encouragement was crucial, as Yani grew up in an underprivileged neighborhood in suburban Buenos Aires where opportunities in tech, and formal employment in general, are often out of reach.

Watch the video to discover Yani’s story:

Arbusta, part of the elea portfolio since 2022, believes in the untapped potential of millions of overlooked young people. In Latin America alone, 20 million youth are neither studying nor working. In Argentina, eight out of ten young people are unemployed or in informal jobs, with women disproportionately affected. Access to higher education is another barrier, with just one in ten youth from underprivileged communities attending university. On top of this, societal stigma heavily impacts those born and living in marginalized neighborhoods.

Arbusta’s hiring strategy begins with job postings shared on social media, bolstered by its strong community reputation and referrals from current team members and alumni. Partnerships with government programs further expand its reach. Guided by a well-defined socio-economic profile, Arbusta has mastered the art of identifying promising talent.

Arbusta stands out by focusing on human potential rather than formal qualifications. Instead of prioritizing university degrees or prior experience, the company values inherent capabilities and commitment. Interested individuals can apply through a virtual game, which can be completed on a cellphone. This AI-powered game provides Arbusta with insights into the candidate's potential, growth mindset, commitment, and cognitive abilities. Candidates then participate in a group virtual challenge that assesses their willingness to contribute to a team effort. Finally, candidates undergo a personal interview, where enthusiasm and interpersonal skills are key factors in the selection process.

Successful talents bring two key assets: a strong drive to seize new opportunities and their digital fluency. As digital natives, they quickly adapt to industry shifts and understand client needs, giving them a competitive edge in tech.

Paula Cardenau, Co-Founder and Director of Arbusta

Arbusta’s talents start in operations, where their roles align with business needs. Once assigned to projects, they receive tailored training and personalized development plans. Paula adds, “We’ve broken the traditional divide between training and education. At Arbusta, young people train by working and learn by training." The organization fosters an environment where team members enrich one another, and stay attuned to technological trends, channeling their collective potential into the company’s success. This culture of continuous improvement enhances individual growth and drives Arbusta’s excellence. “To be competitive in the tech market, we had to ensure service excellence. Identifying problems and anticipating solutions creates a model where talent, backed by continuous training, is enhanced by attitude, service orientation, and dedication,” explains Paula.

Sixty percent of the team are women. This focus on gender inclusion is central to Arbusta’s mission, helping to address the disproportionate challenges women face in the job market and ensuring that more women have access to opportunities in the tech industry. “The role that women play in technology is one we strengthen every day. We continuously challenge ourselves, assess our skills – technical and soft – and work on developing them. We are always eager to grow and improve,” says Yani.

Arbusta’s approach goes beyond professional skills, addressing complex social challenges faced by its team members. Many are primary breadwinners due to parental unemployment. “We identify challenges within our teams and discuss common issues,” says Paula. In cases of domestic violence, Arbusta offers support through lawyers or psychologists and even accompany colleagues to file police reports. Arbusta also fosters a supportive environment with practical initiatives: group breakfasts for trainees, housing advice, financial literacy and gender violence workshops, and collections for those in need.

Paula Cardenau, Co-Founder and Director of Arbusta

For many, Arbusta is more than a job – it’s a pathway to a sustainable economic future. Employees in IT industry earn significantly higher salaries and benefits than their peers, empowering them to see themselves as professionals in the fast-growing tech industry. This transformation extends beyond individuals, positively influencing families and communities. On average, Arbusta talents inspire four other young people in their communities to pursue careers in IT, creating a ripple effect of opportunity.

Arbusta, which provides Data and Machine Learning Training services to large companies in Latin America, continues to expand its services and tackle new challenges, staying committed to deepening its impact. “As founders, we’ve transitioned from being challengers to being challenged,” shares Paula Cardenau with a smile. The impact company has already provided the first IT job opportunity to 850 individuals across Buenos Aires, Rosario, Medellín, and Montevideo, and aspires to accelerate this number to 2’000 in the next three years.