Unilever’s upskilling and reskilling initiative stemmed from an understanding that technology is quickly changing how we work. In a world that is ever more digital, it’s only fitting that the enterprise looked to a digital platform to bring their workforce into the future.
Leaders recognized that a talent marketplace could prove mutually beneficial by matching employees seeking purpose-driven learning opportunities to projects and gigs posted by managers searching for an extra set of hands.
Unilever started by launching a pilot version of their marketplace, FLEX Experiences, to approximately 1,000 employees. Months after, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic signaled a pressing need to scale up by rolling it out to employees across the globe.
Global HR Business Partner Yanpi Oliveros Pascual describes the transition, noting, “When COVID hit, we saw FLEX become even more relevant. We saw part of our business become overstretched, while, on the other hand, there were employees who suddenly had more capacity because projects were reprioritized. To ensure business continuity, we all had to work as one Unilever and FLEX Experiences made that possible.”
In addition to igniting a powerful business transformation, FLEX Experiences has also empowered many Unilever team members to transform their own careers. Vanessa Otake is one such employee. After 18 years in R&D, Otake used FLEX Experiences to apply for an opportunity that allowed her to further explore her passion for diversity and female leadership. A 6-week, 20% project soon opened the door for a future position with the team as a D&I Manager.
Today, Otake spearheads Unilever’s Gender agenda. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “FLEX Experiences gave me an opportunity to bring my purpose and work closer together. Now that I’m in this role, I feel like a kid in a sweet shop. I’m back into learning again, growing again, and being able to grow with something that I’m really passionate about.”
