Growing Project: Digital ‘School 21’ Launched in Volgograd
Sber’s hands-on training program for future IT specialists has opened enrollment in Volgograd, expanding a national initiative that offers free, practice-driven digital education.
For Everyone Ready to Step In
School 21 first launched in Russia in 2018 and by 2025 had expanded to more than 15 cities. Volgograd has become the 17th region where residents can now study in-demand IT professions free of charge—from programming and cybersecurity to data analysis and AI.
The project was initiated by presidential directive and is supported by regional authorities.
The launch of School 21 opens real opportunities for young people to advance professionally and begin IT careers. Training is available to all applicants over 18, regardless of their initial level of preparation. This means even those without prior IT experience have the chance to enter a digital profession and change their career trajectory.
Natalia Gazaryan, Deputy Manager of Sberbank’s Volgograd branch, noted that School 21 is open to anyone eager to prove themselves in IT, and graduates will be able to launch projects that benefit both the region and Russia.
Addressing the Talent Shortage
Participants in the program gain more than just knowledge. They receive:
- Access to quality IT education with no entrance exams or tuition fees;
- A chance to start a career in one of the most in-demand fields of today;
- Enhanced competitiveness in the labor market and the opportunity to join the digital transformation of the region.
At the same time, the project addresses a pressing issue—the shortage of skilled IT professionals. The new talent policy, based on accessibility and practical training, is expected to drive technological modernization and innovation in the region.
The scaling of School 21 supports Russia’s national Digital Economy strategy. It helps build digital competencies, strengthens global workforce competitiveness, and makes free IT education an instrument of social mobility and technological independence.
If successful, the program could serve as a model for international adoption. School 21 has strong export potential, particularly in CIS countries facing similar demand for skilled IT professionals.
From Pilot to a Sustainable System
Over the past five years, School 21 has grown from an experiment into a stable educational system. Campuses in major Russian cities—Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan, and others—have already trained thousands of specialists. Alongside this expansion, other digital initiatives have flourished, from hackathons and internships to industry schools and corporate education platforms.
Banks and tech companies—including Sber, VTB, and Gazprombank—are not just partners but initiators of IT education. They actively shape curricula, provide resources, and offer employment to graduates. This makes training not only theoretical but strategically aligned with labor market needs.
Not Just Random Students, but a Systematic Approach
The successful completion of the first course will serve as a foundation for program expansion—both in student numbers and new disciplines. Future specializations will include AI, machine learning, DevOps, cloud technologies, and other high-demand fields.
A key development will be partnerships with local IT companies and government agencies, ensuring not only training but also employment opportunities, thus creating a closed-loop pipeline of talent preparation and job placement.
The launch of School 21 in Volgograd is more than just enrolling students—it is a strategic move aimed at reshaping the region’s digital landscape. The model combines online selection (with tests of algorithmic thinking, memory, logic, and self-introduction videos), an intensive two-week “pool” where participants master C basics through individual and group projects, and practice-oriented training. This model has already proven effective in other cities.
The first enrollment begins December 8, 2025, with applications already underway. For anyone—regardless of prior education or experience—this is a valuable chance to gain skills in programming, cybersecurity, and other IT fields.
