We create a community that breaks stereotypes

Introduce yourself in a few words..

I am Georgi Pŭrvanov, executive director of Yang Talents 50+ - the first national platform for employment and career development for mature professionals 50+. I have over 30 years of experience in human resources management, I am the manager of CTeam – a company for human resources management and development and a member of the Board of the Bulgarian Association for People Management.

How many years have you been with the company? How do you feel in it and what does this stage mean for you?

In August, I marked 1 year at the helm of the platform - the newest project we are developing together with a few co-founders. This is an endeavor that has been maturing in my mind for several years and is related to the need to support the so-called silver capital and to change the social and economic mindset regarding the added value of people aged 50+ for business. We are creating a community of companies, institutions, organizations, and mature professionals that breaks stereotypes. This is not just another HR project and in this endeavor, there are many shared stories, values between the lines. That is why this project is very important to me, visionary, with potential for the future. The average age in career development is already 49 years, the Bulgarian is around 45 years, so there is a long way ahead for everyone.

What are the most memorable moments or achievements from your time here so far?

I am grateful that we gathered a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about their work and see it as a mission. We work with companies that quietly make the change in the social and economic mindset regarding the added value of people aged 50+ for business a reality. For nearly 9 months, we have been on the air of Radio Fokus with the first program aimed at this group of listeners and I meet people and stories that show that if we remove the stereotypes about people in mature, silver age, there is much to gain in knowledge and experience. We organized the first Career Forum for people 50+ in Europe and Bulgaria with a full hall all day, with the first appearance as a motivational speaker of Veselin Marinov, with many exhibitors… This was an organizational marathon that ended successfully! And, of course, we connected many people with like-minded individuals, friends, we have appointments and are part of a large social change.

What motivates you to stay and develop in this organization?

This is a platform with a mission that I believe in. Dropping out of the labor market due to age, on one hand, and the quiet discrimination on the topic of age that we see, are two sides of the same coin – the neglect of the great potential of mature professionals for business and the economy. On the other hand, the topic of having at least 4 generations in one workplace is becoming increasingly relevant and we have the resources and opportunities to help companies and people with a change that benefits everyone. Because every generation has its strengths. 

How has your professional path changed from the first day until now – and what has it taught you?

We work in a niche and this requires more than anything, but mainly to be open to new knowledge, new perspectives. The challenge of developing a new project in a new direction for the labor market is great, but the results are satisfying.

What are your aspirations moving forward – both for yourself and for the team or company you are part of?

To develop the team of the platform with regional representations, to offer new business opportunities, media support for our partners. Next spring, the second edition of our career forum is coming up and preparations have begun. And most importantly – to offer mature professionals decent work and growth opportunities for both them and the businesses that see the benefits of attracting and retaining them.