Project Consortium Visits Badajoz to Discuss Talent Policies
Led by Extremadura, TALENT4S3 connects regions from eight European countries to exchange best practices for talent attraction and retention in R&D.
The event was also attended by Javier de Francisco Morcillo, General Secretary for Science, Technology, and Innovation, who welcomed the consortium of the international TALENT4S3 project at FUNDECYT-PCTEX, stating that “Extremadura, is strongly committed to collaborating in this mutual learning process to improve our support tools for attracting and retaining talent.”
During the visit, the consortium held meetings with public officials and key organizations involved in training, innovation, and employment initiatives, as part of Extremadura’s efforts to position itself as a leader in talent attraction. In this regard, the Secretary General of Science, Technology and Innovation, highlighted that “Although Extremadura has various initiatives in place, we believe that interregional collaboration is crucial to improving them or developing new tools that will make Extremadura a more attractive region for skilled talent.”
In the same context, the first Interregional Thematic Workshop was held on the topic of Regional Brain Drain Intelligence, facilitated by Thijs Broekhuizen and Agata Troost, partners from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Brain Drain Intelligence is one of the most interesting points that emerged from the Comparative Analysis of European Strategies for Talent Retention and Smart Specialization, report elaborated during the first phase of the project. This approach is an important prerequisite for an evidence-based approach to effectively address brain drain dynamics.
Additionally, 'Talent Monitor' was presented during the workshop as a tool to inspire partners to reflect on the current data infrastructure available and the next steps to improve brain drain intelligence.
TALENT4S3 project is developed within the framework of the Extremadura Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization, RIS3 Extremadura 2027, stressing that “Attraction and retention of talent is one of the most clearly identified bottlenecks for the region when we designed the Strategy.”, as stated by Javier de Francisco Morcillo.
SUCCESSFUL POLICIES FOR TALENT RETENTION
The delegation learned about initiatives such as the Strategic Plan for the Bauhaus Villages Euroace and its focus on promoting the region globally as a destination for talent, presented by Ana Olivera Mateos from the Directorate-General for External Action of the Government of Extremadura. They also explored policies in vocational training, led by Castillo Peralo Pavón from the Directorate-General for Vocational Training, Innovation, and Educational Inclusion.
Furthermore, Alicia González Pérez, Vice-Rector for Students, Employment, and Mobility at the University of Extremadura, presented the Internationalization and Talent Return Program. A visit to the Iberian Research Center for Energy Storage, located in Cáceres, showcased the policies implemented to attract international research talent in the energy field.
The agenda concluded with a presentation by Annabelle Favreau from the Directorate-General for Business, who showcased the Pre-Incubator, an initiative focused on boosting business ideas emerging from the academic and vocational training sectors; the Extremadura Tech Talent program, which promotes the attraction and retention of technological talent through FUNDECYT-PCTEX; and the postdoctoral scholarship program, Talent4Iberia.
Check out our recap video to relive the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE4ezKHbZCg