SPAR: A strategic response to labour market challenges through internal development
The SPAR Talent Expand It! succession programme has successfully concluded and continues to thrive: its third edition has given new momentum to future leaders and key experts.
SPAR Hungary has successfully completed the second cycle and launched the third edition of its Talent Expand It! succession development programme, one of the company’s most comprehensive talent management initiatives. Launched in 2021, this 15-month development journey offers participants intensive professional and personal growth through training sessions, coaching, mentoring, and an international benchmarking trip. They also take an active role in strategic projects. The programme’s goal remains the same: to prepare future leaders and outstanding experts to tackle SPAR’s organisational challenges.
“Identifying, developing, and retaining talented and conscientious employees is one of the greatest challenges in today’s business world. In a rapidly changing market environment where knowledge is one of the most important competitive advantages, our key objective is to offer our colleagues a clear development path and real career prospects. The Talent Expand It! programme not only prepares the leaders of tomorrow but also reinforces the principle that investing in internal talent development is the best long-term strategy,” emphasised Ildikó Szijjné Kállai, head of HR at SPAR Hungary.
Regarding entry into SPAR’s internal programme, a renewed, multi-stage selection process was launched last autumn. Interested candidates could initially apply through an open call — not only via leadership nomination but also independently. Those who met the professional expectations (higher education qualification, language skills, and length of service at SPAR) progressed to the next stage, where they could demonstrate their suitability through an online Development Centre process. The selection decisions were made jointly by SPAR leaders and external HR partners, based solely on the candidates’ performance on the day.
The programme participants were divided into two groups: the High Performer (HIPE) group, which included young specialists who demonstrated outstanding results in a short period, and the High Potential (HIPO) group, comprising colleagues with several years of experience who show leadership potential and are ready to take on leadership roles within the next 1 to 3 years. During the programme, members of both groups acquire competencies that ensure their long-term professional and leadership development.
The experiences of previous years have confirmed the significance of the programme: 91% of the participants have been retained within the company, and the promotion rate has reached 75%. Although the programme does not automatically guarantee a career leap, many alumni already hold responsible leadership positions. Following the completion of the latest edition, the Talent Alumni community was also established, which continues to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and networking. In addition to talent development, SPAR operates a comprehensive internal training system. The SPAR Online Academy offers more than 150 e-learning courses available to all employees of the company. In 2024, our colleagues completed over 65,000 digital learning modules, dedicating a total of more than 34,000 training hours to online learning. The courses include professional training, onboarding, IT security, and soft skills topics. The content follows a modern, storytelling-based educational methodology and is accessible nationwide, including via mobile devices.
SPAR’s goal is not only to create opportunities for development but to actively support it — from joining the company to becoming a key expert or leader. The Talent Expand It! programme has proven that there is a path to future career goals; it simply requires giving talented individuals the chance to prove themselves.
