A Yettel Career Event Showcased Development Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in the “Side by Side” Programme
With stories of change and success – this was the atmosphere of the career event organized by Yettel as part of the eleventh edition of its programme for people with disabilities, “Side by Side.” During the event, the telecom presented the development opportunities the initiative offers and shared examples of its impact over the years. Participants had the chance to meet in person with the teams offering positions this year – the customer service centre, the accounting and credit management departments, and the retail training teams. This allowed candidates to learn more about the specifics of each area of work and the company’s dynamic environment.
The participants during the Yettel Career Event
The event brought together representatives of institutions, NGOs, and the corporate sector, united by a shared goal—to help create a more accessible and inclusive workplace environment. Among the guests were Minka Yovcheva, Director of “Social Services for Children and Adults” at Sofia Municipality; Ivanka Shalapatova, Member of the Board of Directors of Child Rights Connect; and Yoana Koleva, Co-founder of Jamba.
All of them shared their experiences and insights into how the inclusion of people with different abilities can transform not only individual lives but also organizational culture. They all agreed that programmes like “Side by Side” are prime examples of how business can be a driver of social change.
Jamba is a long-standing partner of this initiative. Its team is responsible for the preliminary selection of candidates, promoting the programme among potential participants, and training the managers and teams at Yettel who take part in it. During the event, Gergana Borisova, Head of “Side by Side” at Yettel, and Yoana Koleva of Jamba shared more about the outcomes of their partnership and the personal stories behind the programme’s success.
“Since its launch in 2015, ‘Side by Side’ has welcomed over 40 participants. The programme lasts two years, during which participants work on specific projects and become fully integrated members of our team. To this day, nearly one-third of all participants continue their careers at Yettel, developing in various fields such as technology, finance, project management, customer service, human resources, corporate policy, and more,” said Gergana.
Gergana Borisova, Head of “Side by Side” at Yettel
She added that each participant undergoes specialized training to prepare for the work process and can rely on psychological support from the company’s corporate psychologist. Mentorship also plays a key role: throughout the programme, participants work with mentors—Yettel employees trained to support the adaptation and professional development of people with different abilities.
This consistent care and support help participants build confidence and unlock their potential.
Applications for this year’s edition of “Side by Side” are open until October 24. More information about the programme and participation requirements is available on the company’s website.
