In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, equipping the younger generation with essential technical skills has become a cornerstone of modern education.
In Bulgaria, this mission is being championed by Afterteam, a leading digital agency, in partnership with SoftUni Buditel, the country’s first professional high school for digital sciences.
Together, they are transforming the way teenagers learn and engage with technology, particularly through the powerful platform of WordPress.
A Vision for Digital Literacy
Afterteam’s Academy is a groundbreaking initiative designed to introduce students aged 15 to 18 to the world of web development, digital marketing, and e-commerce.
~ Martin Kosev, CEO at WordCamp Sofia 2024
CEO Martin Kosev shared:
“Founded in 2014, our digital agency has partnered with hundreds of companies worldwide, from small startups to billion-dollar corporations. At some point, we asked ourselves, ‘How can we leverage our extensive experience to make a meaningful impact on the younger generation?‘
This reflection led us to create our educational academy, where together with SoftUni, we teach hundreds of teenagers the skills we’ve acquired through our own challenges. Our goal extends beyond business; we aim to inspire societal change and empower others to dream big and achieve their aspirations in the digital landscape”.
A Curriculum Designed for the Future
Afterteam’s Academy teaches skills for the future. Its curriculum is built around what the industry actually needs, so students get real experience working on real projects. The academy covers web design, SEO, performance, and cybersecurity, getting students ready for digital careers.
What makes the academy different is how they focus on learning by doing. Students don’t just learn theory; they use it. Working on real WordPress projects builds their confidence and gives them a taste of the digital world. This hands-on experience makes it easier to jump into a job or even start their own business.
Tools
They utilize a range of powerful tools such as Iorad, Google for Education, and Basecamp for project management, all of which offer substantial discounts for educational purposes. These resources significantly enhance our students’ learning experiences.
Infrastructure
Additionally, Afterteam relies entirely on DigitalOcean to provide the infrastructure for over 100 websites, most of which are intensely used.
With their servers located in Frankfurt, Germany, Afterteam has never encountered a single issue and enjoys great security, maintenance, and uptime. They are thrilled to continue leveraging DigitalOcean’s services and wholeheartedly recommend them to our digital agency clients.
“What we really love about Cloudways is the simple and intuitive UI and the quick support“.
The Role of WordPress in Education
WordPress, known for its versatility and user-friendliness, serves as an ideal platform for teaching web development and digital business.
Through Afterteam’s academy, students learn to create and manage professional websites, set up online stores, and optimize content for search engines.
These skills are not only practical but also highly relevant in today’s job market, where digital literacy is a prerequisite for success.
Dive into Afterteam’s presentation: WordPress At School: A Story About Business, ChatGPT, and Gen Z Dreams
Real-World Applications and Success Stories
The impact of this collaboration is already evident in the success stories emerging from SoftUni Buditel. Students have used WordPress to create a variety of projects, from online stores for handmade toys to advanced e-commerce platforms.
These projects not only demonstrate their technical skills but also their ability to think creatively and solve real-world problems.
~ DigitalOcean Office
Cloud Infrastructure Powered by DigitalOcean
Afterteam believes that DigitalOcean’s robust cloud infrastructure is a critical component of this educational initiative. For the second consecutive year, DigitalOcean has supported Afterteam and SoftUni Buditel by offering reliable and scalable hosting solutions.
This partnership enables students to work on real-world projects, ensuring that their learning experience is both practical and impactful. The cloud infrastructure also allows for seamless collaboration and access to resources, making it easier for students to experiment and innovate.
Preparing for the Future
Looking ahead, Afterteam is eager to explore innovative partnership opportunities beyond education, including reseller hosting and enterprise solutions.
This includes implementing Cloudways Copilot and leveraging the Cloudways API to develop new AI agents that can enhance our client services and provide advanced monitoring capabilities.
As technology advances, Afterteam is committed to integrating cutting-edge innovations into its educational framework. One exciting development is the use of AI-powered tools like ChatGPT in the classroom, where students experiment with content generation, chatbots, and automated customer support solutions.
By understanding how AI intersects with digital marketing and development, students are better prepared for the evolving job market. Pairing this knowledge with real-world platforms like the Cloudways Agency Partnership gives them practical exposure to scalable infrastructure, performance-driven hosting, and client collaboration, skills highly valued in today’s digital economy.
Additionally, Afterteam is exploring blockchain technology and decentralized web applications (DApps), introducing students to emerging trends that could shape the future of the internet.
By staying ahead of the curve, the academy ensures its students graduate with relevant skills and a forward-thinking mindset.
Sarim Javaid
Sarim Javaid is a Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Cloudways, where his role involves shaping compelling narratives and strategic content. Skilled at crafting cohesive stories from a flurry of ideas, Sarim's writing is driven by curiosity and a deep fascination with Google's evolving algorithms. Beyond the professional sphere, he's a music and art admirer and an overly-excited person.
