building A sustainable future together

Equality and sustainability
In 1983 Jan Schouten, founder of Schouten & Nelissen envisioned a world where everyone would have equal access to development opportunities. To that end, he offered free assertiveness training on Dutch national television for anyone in need. Today, this philosophy remains central to Schouten Company. We are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet, and we hope to inspire others to drive positive change in the world.

People, Planet, Profit
Across the Schouten Company organisations, we are dedicated to initiatives that support the three pillars of sustainable development: People, Planet, and Profit. From diversity and inclusion to sustainable leadership, we continue to challenge and innovate ourselves. We believe in the power of development and well-being, with a focus on both people and the planet. That is why we aim for maximum value and impact with minimal ecological footprint.

People
We are committed to helping individuals reach their professional potential while safeguarding their personal well-being. We take pride in our:
- Energize Index of 7.3, reflecting our commitment to vitality and motivation.
- Dedication to diversity and inclusion through our DE&I programme, implemented organisation-wide and positively received by our staff.
- Sustainable Leadership Module, which supports organisations in fulfilling their social and ecological responsibilities.
- Opportunities for employee development, scoring 7.5 in the Energize scan.
- Young Professional Programme, designed to help emerging talent unlock their full potential.

Planet
We are actively engaged in protecting our planet. Our efforts include:
- Reducing CO₂ emissions through smart mobility solutions.
- Saving energy via policies such as energy-efficient lighting.
- Aiming for a paperless working environment.
- Sustainable procurement and waste management.

Profit
Our impact is measurable, and we are proud of our achievements:
- We train and coach over 40,000 people worldwide each year.
- A client satisfaction score of 8.3 at both participant and organisational level.
- A committed team of 216 permanent staff and 500 freelancers.
Our journey
The CSR policy has been formulated and translated into concrete objectives for People, Planet, and Profit.
The first EcoVadis Silver Certificate has been awarded.
Establishment of CSR working groups to gather and implement initiatives.
We have already achieved a great deal: the CO₂ emissions of our vehicle fleet have dropped by 20% in five years, 35% of our leased cars are electric or hybrid, and the number of printers has been reduced by 50%. But we remain ambitious.
An 86% reduction in our paper usage.
Corporate Academy has been launched with an extensive learning offering.
Transition to green energy (European wind power).
The goal is for 95% of our waste to be sorted for recycling.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through these initiatives, we aim to contribute to the following SDGs:

Quality education
We encourage our clients around the world to offer every employee the most appropriate training or coaching at the right time for the best results. In this rapidly changing society, we also recognise that lifelong learning is essential for every professional to remain productive and relevant.

Gender equality
Our DE&I programme raises awareness, within our own organisations and those of our clients, of the importance of diversity and inclusion, and the influence of unconscious bias.

Decent work and economic growth
Everyone working at Schouten Company and its subsidiaries should experience personal growth. That’s why working at Schouten Company is enjoyable, often challenging, and full of autonomy and opportunities to realise ambitions and achieve goals. Moreover, our employees contribute to the development of others throughout their careers. Our goal is for everyone to leave Schouten Company stronger than when they arrived.

Responsible consumption and production
We procure sustainably, separate waste, and reduce our CO₂ emissions wherever possible. Our employees have been informed on how they can contribute to these efforts.
Final thought
At Schouten Company, we believe that everyone has the power to make a difference. Together, we can create a more sustainable and just world.