Context
The project, ‘Talent goes Leadership’, arose from the challenges faced by the City of Vienna, the largest employer in Austria. The 2023 EU Commission report highlighted a widespread problem of labour shortages across various sectors and skill levels. Vienna was no exception, facing a double threat: competition to attract and retain skilled professionals, and an impending wave of retirements, particularly from leadership positions.
In response, the Executive Group for Personnel and Internal Auditing established an interdisciplinary project team. This team identified the need for a two-pronged approach: providing ongoing career opportunities for employees and fostering a ‘talent-friendly’ environment.
Objectives
Talent goes Leadership aims to address the city’s talent needs through an innovative talent management programme. It offers a personalised programme for employee development, equipping them for either leadership roles or specialised positions. The programme embraces diverse talents, focusing on qualities such as creativity, growth mindset, communication skills and resilience. This inclusive approach ensures the programme is open to all Vienna City Administration employees, regardless of their background, hierarchy level or education.
Implementation
The programme implementation involves a comprehensive application process, including a CV, self-representation, self-assessment and external evaluation. Selected participants embark on a nine-month programme tailored to their individual needs and development plans. The programme offers a blend of learning experiences, including a core curriculum for everyone, personalised electives and networking opportunities with influential figures. This multifaceted approach fosters individual development while enhancing participants’ visibility within the organisation.
The initial programme received significant interest, with over 80 applications for 25 places. Ongoing evaluations reveal high satisfaction from participants. Looking ahead, the programme seeks to maintain momentum by fostering a ‘talent community’ for those not selected in the initial round. This community provides access to exclusive workshops and networking opportunities, promoting a more inclusive and adaptable approach to talent development within the organisation.