DRhN-Booster

The shortage of skilled workers is one of the most significant challenges facing both private and public sector organizations. Socially and environmentally sustainable practices, combined with the use of digital recruitment channels, help attract and retain young professionals who value sustainability. However, the use of digital recruitment channels is often underrepresented, particularly among SMEs. Frequently, there is a lack of not only a digital recruitment strategy but also any concept of how to implement one, as well as a lack of awareness regarding the specific importance of sustainability for the company—especially in the context of recruiting and retaining skilled talent.

We have developed a practical, in-person course that guides companies step-by-step toward successful recruitment by integrating corporate sustainability. Sustainability goals are identified based on an initial employee survey and company analysis. Market and trend analyses enable the creation of personas representing potential future employees; these inform the development of SEO strategies, Google Ads, and recruitment elements for platforms like Meta and LinkedIn—strategies that are often implemented while the course is still underway. Additionally, the course focuses on optimizing internal recruitment processes by applying methods such as the "candidate journey."

The success of this "Digital Recruiting meets Sustainability" concept is evidenced by around 100 participants who successfully attracted skilled professionals while the course was still in progress. Even initially skeptical individuals come to recognize the importance of sustainability—both for corporate success and for themselves personally. A key insight is that sustainability concepts must be linked to practical objectives, such as recruitment, in order to be successfully implemented.

To address the significant drawbacks of the linear course format—namely the high investment of time and resources, the lack of consideration for participants' varying levels of prior knowledge, and the rigid scheduling of in-person modules—the aim is to implement a web-based solution featuring gamification and AI optimization. This solution is designed to offer an automated, adaptive course path specifically tailored to each participant's prior knowledge and needs. Thanks to this personalization, the course acts as a catalyst for the practical application of skills for every individual.

By the end of the course, participants bring a practical skill set and toolkit for digital recruiting back to their companies, along with initial examples of successful, company-specific applications. They have uncovered the potential for social and ecological sustainability within their organizations, identified relevant activities, and begun developing a sustainability strategy—as well as a sustainability mindset conducive to business success. For their ongoing development, participants benefit from an integrated knowledge management platform that includes interactive networking capabilities connecting all those involved.