Talent Scouting

Talent scouting focuses on looking different at talents of (young) people. On our Technology courts we challenge young people to explore, inspire and use technology to find out what talents they have, life in action, seen by our talent scouts.

Talent scouting for technology

The traditional search for talent does not work anymore. If disadvantaged young people apply for a vacancy, talent is insufficiently recognized by recruiters or employers. A CV does not say anything about their technical skills. We can’t find the hidden pearls. To find and recognize these talents, an innovative approach is needed: Talent scouting. To support young disadvantaged talents we build ‘technology courts’ where they are free to get inspired by technology, to explore and develop their skills and (learn) to use these skills on several old and new technologies.

Similar to the scouting of talent in the sport, experienced scouts search for talents. On our 'technology courts' they spot (potential) talents. Those courts are e.g. schools, workplaces, technical training fields at companies and pop-up tech stores in vacant stores. The scouts are experienced technicians, ex-employees, retirees or people who, by circumstances, are no longer active in technology but have solid knowledge and insight into technology. These scouts have the capability to recognize talents of young disadvantaged people, know where there is a need for technical staff and what skills or competencies are required for them.

Scouts' sustained commitment and our process of tracking talent, scoring and pratical testing their Technology DNA makes our idea simple to roll out to other regions and sectors. Using the network of employers, trade unions, SME organizations, educational institutions and services, we are well placed to find qualified ‘technology courts’ and scouts. Through this same network and our experience in the labor market we have a solid insight into technical employers and we can easily track technical vacancies. Our talent spotting process will eventually be supported by an easy-to-use app that allows scouts and talents to be "linked" with each other. 

Our 'technology courts' make all people equal. Just like the football courts in the favela's everybody can join the game, the game of showing their capabilities, their qualities. Our scouts have an open mind to everyone who wants to explore their talents. The scouts will support them in this journey and will guide them to a personalized education, training or skills development. Using role models to attract young people to our technology courts, as used in the Cruyff courts for example, we'll let them explore old and new technologies, learn from it and decrease the gap to the labor market.

The Cruyff courts in the Netherlands and in other countries shows that it supports young disadvantaged people to be part of the game. They give them an opportunity to lift themselves up and give them self-confidence, f.e. to join a (local) football team. We have done a pilot with our 'technology court'. An open area, easy to access, everybody is equal, there is no judgement based on resume or background. Just come in, explore, play and find your level of technology and learn how to improve. Easy, no boundaries, with support of our experienced scouts and coaches.