ASR Netherlands - Talent Development Programme
The Talent Development Programme (Talent Ontwikkel Programma- TOP) is a traineeship for graduates of higher vocational education. It started in September of 2007 with the first class of trainees. TOP is, first and foremost, a trainee programme focusing on training 'on the job'. Participants increase their breadth and depth of business administration knowledge in the Master of Science programme at the University of Amsterdam (1 day per week). In addition, within ASR Netherlands, the trainees participate in a range of skills trainings, personal growth workshops and peer review meetings.
Because the traineeship is linked to the Business Studies programme at the University of Amsterdam, the programme starts only once per year, in September.
Each year, there is a very comprehensive selection of trainees. The selection process for 2008 and 2009 was set up and carried out jointly by ASR Netherlands and Berenschot.
For the 2009 selection, in consultation with Berenschot we had all candidates complete an online aptitude test (after an initial selection based on CV and hard criteria) for the first time. This aptitude test consisted of three components (mathematical, verbal and inductive reasoning). Ideally, we want our trainees to possess certain capacities that will give them a greater chance of successfully completing both the traineeship and the academic programme. One advantage of this test is that since it is taken online, the candidates can take it wherever and whenever they want. Candidates were e-mailed their login codes and instructions from Berenschot.
The candidates with good test results were then invited for a first interview. After the interview, the candidates making a positive impression were asked to complete a verification test (to check whether the first test result was correct). This eliminates the need for a candidate to come to us multiple times for the test(s) and interview. We deliberately chose this setup not only to make it easier for the candidate, but to set up the process as efficiently as possible for ourselves as well. The aptitude tests were well-received by the candidates. They found the tests different from other tests they were familiar with, and in many cases, found them fun. And we were also very happy with this solution.
We also used the OPQ instrument (personality questionnaire) in the selection. The candidates invited to the selection day/assessment day completed the OPQ in advance, and on the day the personality profile that emerged from the OPQ was discussed with a Berenschot consultant. Most of the responses ranged were along the lines of 'very familiar' and 'it's almost scary how accurate it is'. These were, of course, positive experiences and of added value during the selection.
This year, we were once again able to select a talented group of trainees in partnership with Berenschot. The trainees started the programme on 1 September 2009.
