At VALA, we believe personal growth is really important. We aim to create a culture where continuous learning helps us become the best team and the best company.

Why is learning so central to our culture? In the world of expert roles, individuals need to constantly evolve and adapt. Knowing how to learn effectively is becoming increasingly important. For an expert organization to truly excel, it needs both individual expertise and collective knowledge. As our people grow, the company must grow alongside them.

Individuals at VALA learn through a variety of avenues, including projects, self-study, and active participation in communities.

The Heart of Our Learning Culture: Tech Hub and QA Hub

At VALA, we have two main technical communities: the Tech Hub and the QA Hub. Every employee belongs to at least one of these hubs, which serve as a powerful platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. These communities bring together people with shared interests who meet regularly to explore and work on topics they’re passionate about.

Below you’ll find some example of topics that have been covered in Hub meetings:

• What is AI testing?
• How test automation can be studied with the support from ChatGPT
• How to create a test or QA strategy for the customer company
• Takeaways and learnings working as PO and QA in the same team
• How to approach accessibility testing

Hearing from Our Community Members

We believe our communities are incredibly valuable, so we asked a couple of our hub members, Mikael and Bardhyl, to share their thoughts and experiences. Here’s what they had to say:

The Purpose and Future of the Hubs:

Both Mikael and Bart highlighted the importance of the QA Hub and Tech Hub in fostering knowledge sharing and skill development within VALA. Mikael sees them as “umbrella organizations” that could potentially evolve to include “more specialized sub-communities” in the future. He envisions these hubs offering opportunities for “study groups around various topics,” indicating a desire for more focused learning within the communities. Bart emphasizes the hubs’ role in providing access to VALA’s “vast pool of collective knowledge,” which is crucial in the rapidly evolving fields of QA and test automation. He sees the community as a valuable resource for staying up-to-date and believes that “everyone can benefit from and contribute to the community.”

Memorable Experiences and Community Impact:

Mikael’s most memorable experiences revolve around his own presentations, which he admits were stressful but also provided the most significant learning opportunities. This highlights the community’s role in encouraging personal growth and knowledge sharing. Bart, on the other hand, values the informal social gatherings and shared sauna evenings. He appreciates the safe and open atmosphere where members can openly discuss challenges faced in client projects. “Often, simply voicing a concern brings relief,” Bart shares, emphasizing the importance of peer support and shared experiences within the community.

Desired Workshop Topics and Community Development:

Both Mikael and Bart expressed a desire for more practical and interactive workshops in the future. Mikael believes that workshop topics should reflect the interests and needs of the community members, encouraging them to “talk about things they find meaningful in their work.” Bart suggests focusing on “practical experiences and tools, and how they can be applied in diverse client environments.” He also highlights the value of the community’s Slack channel, describing it as an invaluable resource for quick and expert peer support. “There’s always someone on the channel who can answer or at least point me in the right direction,” he says, demonstrating the community’s strength in providing readily available assistance.

Looking Ahead:

Both interviewees acknowledge that community activities have been quieter recently but express optimism for the future. Bart mentions that many consultants have put forward excellent suggestions for improvement, and Mikael has taken an active role in driving the community’s development. The shared goal is to create a more dynamic and interactive community that effectively caters to the needs and wishes of its members.

The Future of Our Communities

While community activities have been quieter in recent years, we’re committed to revitalizing them based on feedback from our consultants. We’re excited to create a more dynamic and interactive community experience that meets the needs and wishes of our members.

At VALA, we’re passionate about learning, growing, and supporting each other. If you’re a driven professional seeking a collaborative and enriching environment, we invite you to explore our open positions and become part of our thriving community.