SI Clubs add ‘women and work’ to a Talent Scout competition

In addition to allowing students to demonstrate their dedication and enthusiasm to prospective employers, such schemes let them see what working in a particular firm or industry is really like. Young people can also make valuable contacts that may lead to a full-time position.

One such scheme is ‘Talent Scout’, an annual competition run jointly by the local Chamber of Commerce and Young Entrepreneurs Group in the cities of Cremona and Crema for the past 13 years. Some 350 final-year students from the cities’ secondary schools are whittled down to 20 semi-finalists using simulated job interviews. Ultimately, two overall winners are chosen for one-day internships. Sponsors of ‘Talent Scout’ include the Italian branch of recruitment consultants Randstad, Bosch and two local banks, Banca Cremonese and Banca Cremasca.

This year the Soroptimist Clubs of Cremona and Crema took part in the project, organising activities around the theme of ‘women and work’, funding a course on how to use Facebook for business and awarding a ‘women’s prize’ to two of the Talent Scout competitors. The event was reported extensively in the media, greatly increasing the clubs’ visibility in the area.