It feels like the natural next step in my personal development and the right platform to move professionally to the next level – this is how one of the participants, Calum Robert De Louwere, describes MET Group’s Talent Development Programme (TDP). The initiative aims to put young colleagues into meaningful roles at very early stages of their careers.
According to Benjamin Lakatos, MET Group’s Executive Chairman, MET stands as a genuine HR success story. “The achievement of the company is based on the expertise and exceptional talent of its employees,” he emphasizes.
No wonder that nurturing young talents, considered to be one of the company’s greatest assets, has always been part of MET Group’s strategy. That’s why the two-year Talent Development Programme (TDP) was established in 2017, where participants can benefit from learning activities, tailor-made career opportunities, best-in class trainings, and mentoring from experienced top managers.
So far, 19 current MET employees have graduated the programme, representing eight nationalities in total. 3 of these graduates have since become CEOs of local MET subsidiaries.
“I applied to join the TDP because it offers a unique opportunity to develop a deeper strategic perspective, while working closely with senior leaders. I believe this programme will empower me to progress towards my goal of becoming a future finance leader” says Nicola Tiberio, Management Associate and Business Advisor to the CFO of the MET Sales & Trading Segment.
Maria Moneta, Management Associate to the Executive Chairman of MET Green Assets Division explains: “I studied Archaeology and History, and I am aware that my path into energy is quite unconventional, but I am here precisely because I have always been motivated by learning and not taking opportunities for granted. I applied for the TDP because it felt like the right moment to push myself and explore skills I have not fully used yet.”
Learning how to write decision-making materials and communicate assertively
The energy company’s main objective is to find young top talents who have the potential to first grow into mid-managerial and then to senior management positions at MET, within 5 years after graduating the TDP. The programme offers several benefits, including the opportunity to learn directly from senior managers, developing leadership skills, and deepening energy industry knowledge.
Calum Robert De Louwere, Management Associate to MET Group’s Chief Sales Officer has high hopes. “Joining the TDP allows me to take on more responsibility, face more challenging tasks, and to intentionally step out of my comfort zone. I see the programme as a way to accelerate my development into a well-rounded professional within our industry” he says, highlighting the networking opportunities it provides.
Diverse trainings support TDP participants’ development. They follow a course on how to write decision-making materials for top management, they learn about project management toolkits and methodology, whilst a junior leadership training course teaches them about self-awareness, assertive communication and collaborating with others in an engaging way.
MET Group’s vision has always been to give employees clear responsibility and to leverage on their insights and expertise. Maria Moneta not only offers her own expertise, but she also counts on the know-how of colleagues. In the short term, she is passionate about “creating a centralised knowledge centre within MET”, as she believes that shared learning is essential for the company’s continued success.
Nicola Tiberio expects the TDP to strengthen his understanding of multiple areas within Finance, giving him a more complete view of the function. “Moreover, by being exposed to the Sales & Trading Segment CFO, I aim to further develop my leadership capabilities and to prepare for greater responsibility” he adds.
Calum Robert De Louwere already spoke with several former TDP participants, and the consistent message was that the programme helped them to understand which areas they were passionate about and which skills they needed to build to eventually step into leadership roles. “I hope the TDP will prepare me to take on a future senior role where I can contribute more meaningfully to MET’s long-term development.”