In 2021, Essent set out to become the energy tech company of the Netherlands. That demanded new technology, architecture, and ways of working. It also demanded a shift in culture, talent, and ambition level.
Harvest has played a key role in that shift over the past four years. The standard post-master programme was redesigned as an in-house track, tailored to Essent's target state. Alongside more than 22 Harvest talents, existing Essent engineers joined the programme and were reskilled as well.
Transformation at this scale also asks something of managers. In a separate program, Harvest gave Essent's engineering leaders a shared view of the concepts behind a modern engineering organisation and a sharper sense of what to steer on.
Getting through the first phase
“There’s a big gap between university and the workplace,” says Julieta van Hierden, Business Unit Manager at Harvest. “Graduates are incredibly smart, but they haven’t yet learned how to apply that knowledge in a corporate environment.”
And that’s where Harvest steps in.
Through a 12-month program, graduates with strong technical foundations, often in fields like mathematics or computer science, are trained in technology, and in how to operate in real-world teams. Think of topics like:
• Technical skills
• Communication and presentation
• Collaboration and ownership
“About 30% of the program focuses on soft skills,” Julieta explains. “Because knowing something isn’t enough. You need to be able to communicate it, present it, and make an impact.”
Harvest is the only accredited post-master program in the Benelux. This means that, upon completion of the Harvest year, our high potentials earn an officially recognised certification.
Spotting the difference
For Arjen de Ruiter, Head of Enterprise Architecture at Essent IT, the difference is noticeable from the start.
“They come in with a strong foundation, but also with drive and motivation,” he marvels. “You can be more demanding, and they rise to it.”
That combination of technical grounding and hunger to grow ends up creating something powerful.
“In interviews, you already see the difference. And once they join, the teams feel it too. They are engaged, participate actively, and take initiative.”
From presentations to knowledge sharing, Harvest graduates don’t simply blend in, but actively contribute.
More than just transactional
A large part of what makes this collaboration work is the partnership behind it. “We’re not just a vendor to Essent,” Julieta explains. “We really understand the teams, the managers, and the culture. That helps us select the right people who fit in...not just technically, but personally.”
The result? A strong cultural fit from day one!
Harvest participants work closely with Essent teams during the program, gaining hands-on experience while building knowledge that stays within the company. “It’s not like traditional consulting,” Arjen adds. “We’re building our own workforce and strengthening our engineering capability.”
Building for the future
As the energy sector evolves, so does the need for strong in-house technical expertise. For Essent IT, partnerships like this are strategic. “Software engineering is a core competency for us,” says Arjen. “This approach helps us grow that capability from within.” And in a market where experienced talent is scarce, investing in potential becomes essential.
“If I had to choose between potential and experience?” Arjen smiles. “I’d choose potential—with the right energy and support behind it.”
What comes next
With a 97% success rate and new cohorts joining regularly, the collaboration continues to grow. But beyond the numbers, the real impact lies in the people:
• Graduates who arrive unsure and leave confident.
• Teams that gain not just capacity—but fresh energy.
• An organisation that builds, rather than buys, its future.
And this is just the beginning!
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing stories from the people at the heart of this journey, from the Harvest students and graduates shaping Essent IT from within.