I am convinced that embracing new technological developments is an essential part of the work of our tech professionals.

About four years ago, I got to know Robert and John (owners of Yes tech careers, ed.) through my own company. At that time, they were looking for someone who could “do something with developing technical personnel.” Through a mutual connection, they found me. After our initial introduction, we stayed in touch, even when Yes was primarily focused on its internal organization at the time.

Last year, at the beginning of the second quarter, Yes reached out to me again to conduct a DISC workshop, something I was facilitating regularly at that time. That was the first time I met the entire team. For me, it immediately felt very familiar. In fact, it was the first moment I truly felt the absence of “belonging to something.”

During the feedback session on the DISC profile, John asked me if I would be open to returning to a salaried position. Robert, at that point, had already taken a figurative step further—his name in the Microsoft Teams window jokingly read, “your new colleague.” Since Yes didn’t yet have a clear idea of what the role should look like or even what to call it, we decided to have a joint discussion after the summer break, around mid-September.

During that conversation, we explored whether we could combine Yes’s needs with my input to create a role that would fit both the company and my personal vision of workforce development. If my vision for developing people didn’t align well with Yes’s approach, I would have declined the offer. However, it became clear early in our discussions that I would have a lot of freedom to shape the role myself—essentially like being a self-employed entrepreneur, but in a salaried position—and I’d get to work with an inspiring target group. That appealed to me.

I wanted to finish the ongoing projects from my own company properly, and somewhere around October, I signed my contract with Yes.

My work at Yes is quite diverse and revolves around the development of both people and the organization. I am involved in the Smart Skills development program that Yes has set up in collaboration with Saxion. It’s truly a wonderful and solid program, based on research from the field. My knowledge and experience in education and technology enable me to critically assess the program, both in terms of content and organization. Additionally, I focus on coaching internal colleagues and the tech professionals working with our clients. The learning questions that arise during these coaching sessions are very diverse, ranging from pursuing further education to learning how to better interact with colleagues who don’t understand them. In my role, I aim to help colleagues gain new insights, making them more aware of their own needs. It gives me immense satisfaction every time I see people grow in the direction they want to grow.

I also enjoy keeping John and Robert on their toes and occasionally critically examining and evaluating the way we currently work. I believe that everyone should contribute to the vision and mission of the organization, even if that means taking on tasks that don’t directly fall within their role. I think it’s important to be open about what can be improved, even if this can sometimes be perceived as confrontational. Openness and a willingness to challenge the status quo are essential for growth and achieving our shared goals.

When it comes to my experience in Human Development, it’s been longer since I was a technician than when I was one. I grew up in a machine factory, starting as a maintenance technician and later becoming an overhaul mechanic. After completing my training as a mechanical engineering teacher, I was introduced to guiding and coaching people—something I’ve never let go of since. I am convinced that my knowledge and experience from and on the work floor greatly help me connect with my target audience, as well as understand and improve business processes. My background allows me to bridge the gap between technical expertise and personal development, ensuring a practical and relatable approach to growth and transformation.

Our Smart Skills development program helps tech professionals prepare for the technologies of the future and equips them with the skills to continuously develop themselves. The program focuses on understanding and mastering new technologies and improving business processes. I believe that, as Yes, we can prepare tech professionals for the new industrial reality by making them aware of changes, the pace at which they occur, and equipping them with the right skills to adapt. Digitalization offers incredible new opportunities, but at the same time, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential risks it brings, such as deepfakes or other AI applications. We need to stay focused on new developments and ensure that tech professionals continue to develop their skills to remain employable in this evolving industrial landscape. By doing so, we empower them to stay relevant and effective in the face of rapid technological advancements.

When it comes to the challenges of developing Smart Skills in a rapidly changing industry, I believe it is especially important to foster a culture of continuous learning. This includes reflecting on our actions, acquiring new skills—including learning how to effectively learn something new—and, of course, continually exploring new technologies and their potential applications. At Yes, we need to ensure that our tech professionals have the space to be endlessly curious and the ability to continuously develop themselves. By creating an environment that encourages curiosity, innovation, and growth, we empower tech professionals to adapt and thrive in an industry that never stands still.

Finally, I am convinced that embracing new technological developments is an essential part of the work of our tech professionals. I also want to extend this vision to the Smart Skills development program. From the perspective of organizing this program, I believe it is our duty to ensure that both the structure and content of the development program evolve alongside the new industrial reality. By doing so, we can continue to provide tech professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to stay ahead in their field, adapt to technological advancements, and contribute meaningfully to their industries.