b'BUILDING AMODERN WORKPLACEGerminations first entry in our Top Workplaces for Young Talent list strives to create a six-point blueprint for creating a great place to work.Marc ZienkiewiczKEVIN FALKSrecruitment with Corteva Agriscience was originally spurred by the involvement that Cortevas legacy company Pioneer had in the Plant Science Symposium Series with universities around the world. Hes attended these symposiums as a student at Indianas Purdue University, at Iowa State University as well as the University of Manitoba. He was also involved with the organizing of the Iowa State symposium for four years and asked to speak as a guest speaker. It was there he met Tabare Abadie, Cortevas academic relations manager and research fellow. They kept in touch.In 2018, Falk was named a National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) Borlaug Scholar. His mentor in the program was Dave Bubeck, Cortevas research director for global breeding and North American regional crops based in Iowa. Falk would also go on to meet and become friends with other Corteva scientists including Jessie Alt, Cortevas global wheat lead. Falk is now Cortevas integrated field scientist based in Manitoba.I know that Corteva has specific talent recruitment personnel, but my experience was influenced by the people of Corteva and the culture as a whole. Tabare, David, Jessie and others all took time to show an interestKevin Falk is Cortevas integrated field scientist based in Manitoba.in me as an eager young man wanting to be involved in feeding the world, Falk says. some key qualities Kail says are necessary for creating a They dont recruit you. They build a relationshipmodern workplace culture that puts personal develop-with you so when opportunities arise, you are the first toment at the top of the priority list.apply. Trust & Transparency: A lot comes down to good Its a philosophy that Vik Kail, Cortevas HR leadcommunication. Our executive team has become a lot for Canada, preaches each and every day. Kail is amore visible in the months after the creation of Corteva. self-described city boy whos the architect of CortevasOur president is very charismatic and down- to-earth. blueprint for a modern workplace and leading theHe builds a lot of trust himself, but the wider leadership movement to build it.being so visible to our workforce has really helped.I consider myself really lucky to be in this industry,Autonomy: Young people value this. When they do and I want others to have that opportunity, he says.the work, where they do it, how they go about doing it, Nominated as a Top Workplace for Young Talent, Kailand who they do it withthose are all important to shared Cortevas six-point plan to attract bright youngthem, especially in the new environment influenced by people who want a future in aga plan that cultivatesCOVID.4GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2020'