The infrastructure sector is the silent engine behind the energy transition and circular economy. However, the outside world still perceives it as "heavy, dirty work performed at night." Simultaneously, Social Return on Investment (SROI)is often treated as a "tick-the-box" tender requirement rather than a core strategic value.
We need to bridge the gap between perception and reality to attract top talent and embed social impact into our DNA.
Central Question
"How can we design an integrated approach that demonstrably showcases our sustainable impact and structurally embeds SROI into our core business to attract and retain the next generation of talent?"
Key Objectives
1. Employer Branding & Perception
2. Structural SROI Embedding
Expected Outcome
A scalable Action Plan that provides:
The desired outcome is that Van Gelder develops a scalable, evidence-based approach in which employer branding and Social Return on Investment (SROI) are integrated as strategic drivers of sustainable impact and workforce development.
Van Gelder is credibly positioned as a sustainable and meaningful employer, closing the gap between ambition and perception through a research-backed value proposition, authentic storytelling, and concrete engagement formats such as projects and micro-internships. This results in greater visibility of societal impact and a measurable improvement in both the quantity and quality of talent inflow, strengthening its position in a tight labour market.
At the same time, SROI is structurally embedded across the full project lifecycle as a value-adding process, supported by clear roles, workable SROI activities, and effective matching and coaching models. This enables sustainable pathways for people with a distance to the labour market and ensures SROI contributes directly to project delivery.Its impact is measurable and linked to outcomes such as talent inflow, safety, quality, productivity, and continuity, leading to greater ownership within project teams.
Ultimately, this integrated approach delivers an employer branding strategy, a process blueprint for SROI integration, and concrete engagement formats, positioning Van Gelder as a future-proof and socially responsible infrastructure partner.
Van Gelder is a full-service infrastructure partner in the Netherlands with more than 100 years of experience. Over the past century, both the Netherlands and the infrastructure sector have changed significantly, bringing larger and more complex challenges. Climate change, rising energy demand, increased mobility, and the need for constant connectivity all require innovative solutions. With its integrated, data-driven approach and the expertise of more than 2,350 dedicated colleagues, Van Gelder helps address these complex infrastructure issues.
The company designs and delivers sustainable above-ground and underground infrastructure solutions, while also managing and maintaining infrastructure for businesses and governments across the Netherlands. Through this work, Van Gelder supports the energy transition, keeps the Netherlands accessible, creates safe and pleasant living environments, enables safe transport by road and rail, and helps keep the country connected.
Van Gelder’s vision is to be the director of the smart and sustainable public space of the future. As a financially independent Dutch family business, the company combines long-standing experience with innovation to contribute to a smarter, safer, and more sustainable Netherlands.
