At WATA Factory, we are always looking for new ways to grow together. We firmly believe that the best way to learn is through hands-on experience and collaboration. That’s why we are now integrating Labs into our learning culture. Kicking things off is our very first Ibérica Lab on 27th March.
This new format differs from our All Hands meetings: it lasts just one day but focuses entirely on practical, team-based learning. We will concentrate on two essential topics in today’s technology ecosystem: technical development and digital accessibility.
What Are the Labs?
The Labs – or practical workshops – are short training sessions designed for different levels of difficulty, with an average duration of one hour. The best part? It’s not just about theory – Labs provide space for experimentation, tackling technical challenges, and hands-on learning. They are structured to ensure immediate practical application, making knowledge retention much more effective.
For this first Ibérica Lab, we have prepared two types of Labs, tailored to the specialisations of our teams:
- QA, Design, and PL Teams: These teams will focus on developing accessible applications, learning how to design and build inclusive digital experiences.
- Developers: They will take part in a Kubernetes and Bitbucket Lab, exploring container orchestration and version control in a hands-on environment.
How Will the Day Unfold?
We have designed a dynamic and well-balanced day, blending learning with relaxed moments to recharge and enjoy together. The agenda is structured as follows:
- Breakfast: As is tradition, we will start the day with a regional breakfast, fuelling up with energy and motivation.
- First Lab Session: Each team will work on their designated Lab, focusing on either accessibility or Kubernetes + Bitbucket.
- Coffee Break: A chance to exchange ideas, share experiences, and prepare for the next session.
- Second Lab Session: Diving deeper into practical challenges, reinforcing what we’ve learned, and increasing the level of difficulty.
- Team Lunch: A moment to unwind, discuss the morning’s experiences, and enjoy the delicious Jerez cuisine.
- Third Lab Session: The final session of the day, where we consolidate concepts, complete challenges, and round off our knowledge.
Why Are We Investing in This Format?
At WATA Factory, we believe that the key to progress lies in continuous and collectivelearning. Technology is constantly evolving, and we want to ensure that our team always has the knowledge and tools needed to tackle any challenge.
We chose this format because with the Labs we are looking for:
- Learning together: Sharing knowledge within the team helps us grow as professionals, enhance collaboration, and generate new ideas.
- Strengthening teamwork: Working in groups reinforces our culture of collaboration, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment.
- Staying up to date: Innovation is at the core of our industry. Labs give us the space to experiment with new technologies and approaches without the fear of failure.
- Focussing on practical learning: It’s not just about theory – we apply what we learn in real-world scenarios, making knowledge more effective and long-lasting.
- Promoting accessibility and inclusion: Developing accessible solutions is not just a responsibility – it’s an opportunity to create better, more user-friendly products for everyone.
This first Ibérica Lab is just the beginning! We want to continue introducing new learning formats, helping us grow as a team and ensuring that education remains a core part of our daily work.
See you on 27th March – ready to learn, experiment, and have fun together. This year, we’re going all in!