Eighty new starters hit the ground running at delaware

Investing in young people as a strategic choice

By hiring such a large group of graduates, delaware is deliberately going against today's cautious hiring trend. A recent study by HR services provider Acerta shows that even highly educated young people now find it harder to land their first job. While other companies hesitate, delaware makes a conscious choice to recruit and invest in a large group of graduates every year. delaware believes these young professionals can become tomorrow’s experts and that investing in their development is essential to sustainable growth.

“Onboarding plays a vital role in preparing new hires, and hands-on learning is the most effective way to help them grow,” says Lien Declercq, Talent Acquisition Specialist at delaware. “That is why delaware has been running an annual bootcamp for several years, giving junior employees several weeks to learn the profession alongside experienced colleagues. We want to equip them with skills they may not have acquired during their studies, so they can get off to a strong start with our clients. As consultants, we want to add value as quickly as possible.”

The changing role of the consultant

This year’s bootcamp focuses explicitly on future-proof skills and adopting AI as the consultant’s role evolves. As technology takes on routine tasks ever faster, junior consultants are expected to work more independently, think critically, and add value from the start.

During the redesigned training program, new hires learn how to use tools such as Microsoft Copilot in simulated client scenarios. At the same time, they develop a deep understanding of business processes so they can think strategically alongside clients. They also learn to validate outputs carefully and build human skills that cannot be automated, including empathy, creative problem-solving, and the ability to develop personal relationships with clients.

“The ability to work with AI is essential, provided it is always approached with a critical mindset,” says Evelien Vanhooren, partner at delaware. “AI speeds up the development process, but it does not do the thinking for you. Technical and analytical expertise remain essential to ensuring the quality and reliability of the final result. Professionals who think end-to-end and use AI critically will remain vital.”

Alongside technological skills, the training emphasizes integrity, curiosity, and building personal relationships with both colleagues and clients.

Sustainable fleet

At the start of their careers, all 80 new hires receive the keys to a fully electric company car, the Kia EV3. This year, delaware is partnering with Kia Novoto, who will handle the delivery of the new company cars and provide ongoing support. The transition to a zero-emission fleet has been a core part of delaware’s sustainability policy since 2020 and reflects the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible operations.