"Even though the European Commission has relaxed the ESG requirements for a medium-sized company like ours, we are not relaxing our social inclusion goals. For us, it makes good business sense to emphasise diversity in our workforce and take care of the people who need a little extra."
So says Ole Rense, Factory Manager at Triarca A/S.
The company in Hornsyld near Hedensted supplies charging stations for Denmark's green infrastructure and cabinets for electricity supply.
The company has no problems finding labour for the assembly work for the charging stations and general assembly work. However, it has been difficult to find employees who know how to assemble electrical panels.
Ole Rense explains that it requires an understanding of drawings and insight into the many electrical laws and regulations. Electricians have this, but they often want a different type of working day than what Triarca A/S can offer in the assembly hall.
Triarca has now found a solution that Ole Rense is very happy with. The company has hired Tomaz from Poland and Rytis from Lithuania through a 13-week electrical panel training course targeted at the unemployed, which Business Service - Job Centre Hedensted and Business Service - Job Centre Horsens have offered in collaboration with Rybners Business Academy in Esbjerg.
The course was established to meet the local business community's need for employees who can assemble electrical panels.
Tomaz and Rytis were both in a vulnerable situation outside the labour market before the upskilling course. Although Tomaz has an electrician qualification from his home country, according to Ole Rense, it is not comparable to an equivalent Danish qualification. There have also been some language barriers to Tomaz and Rytis' job opportunities, but Triarca offers help and practical training if you don't feel like a master of Danish.
"Our two new Eastern European employees are really good labour. They have gained exactly the skills we needed during the upskilling programme," says Ole Rense, who has previously searched in vain for electrical assembly workers via LinkedIn and recruitment agencies.
The case is part of the project "Green transition - a key to social inclusion", which is supported by the European Social Fund and the Danish Business Promotion Board.