Wissal Hammoumi had the technical skills to succeed in IT, but lacked confidence. Through the “Moroccan Youth Match Excellence” programme supported by Invest for Jobs, she developed key soft skills and secured a position at Capgemini. Today, she works as a Business Analyst and Functional Tester.
“My journey has been shaped by so much curiosity and continuous learning and also opportunities such as the ‘Moroccan Youth Match Excellence’.”
Wissal Hammoumi is 24 years old and lives in Casablanca, Morocco. After completing her Master’s degree in software engineering, she had already secured a promising final-year internship. Everything seemed to be in place for a successful career in IT. “On paper, everything looked great. I had the hard skills, I had the technical knowledge, but I lacked confidence in myself.”
Despite her strong academic background, Wissal faced a challenge that many young graduates encounter when entering the labour market. She found it difficult to speak up, express her ideas and actively participate in professional discussions. For roles such as business analyst, communication and presence are essential.
At the same time, she was entering a field that is still largely dominated by men: “I know that being a young woman in the IT sector, which is mainly a very male dominated sector, is hard. But I still wanted to be a part of it and show that women can be great and succeed in something like this.” Like many young women in IT, Wissal sometimes felt hesitant to contribute, even when she had the knowledge and skills.
“The training made me feel more confident to speak up and to show that my ideas are valued.”
Wissal Hammoumi
From technical knowledge to professional confidence
A defining moment in her journey came through the “Moroccan Youth Match Excellence” programme, supported by Invest for Jobs. The initiative is implemented by the NGO Arab Excellence in cooperation with the international IT company Capgemini. It aims to address youth unemployment in Morocco by equipping young people with both technical and interpersonal skills and connecting them to job opportunities.
Out of 150 selected participants, Wissal took part in the programme and gained more than technical training. She strengthened her communication skills, learned to present her ideas clearly and developed the confidence needed to succeed in a professional environment. “The training made me feel more confident to speak up and to show that my ideas are valued and that my voice matters.”
The programme focuses on bridging the gap between education and employment. Participants are prepared for real work environments and supported in building career paths that match their ambitions. For Wissal, this meant putting her skills into practice in real work situations. “I started being able to lead discussions with clients, to take initiative in meetings and also to share my ideas with confidence.”
With these new skills, Wissal successfully transitioned into the workplace. Today, she works at Capgemini as a Business Analyst and Functional Tester. In her role, she connects technical teams with business stakeholders, ensures quality standards and supports projects from early development stages to delivery. “I'd say that there was a Wissal before this training and a Wissal after. And I'm truly very grateful for the new version that this experience unlocked.”
Building a career with confidence
The programme “Moroccan Youth Match Excellence” shows how targeted support can help young people transition into decent employment. By combining training, mentorship and direct links to employers, Invest for Jobs contributes to addressing youth unemployment in Morocco and strengthening the IT sector.
Today, Wissal works in an environment where she feels valued and able to contribute. She continues to develop her skills and aims to grow into an expert or leadership role in the future. “Programmes like ‘Moroccan Youth Match Excellence’ are a very powerful example of what could happen when guidance and talent and opportunity come together.”