Benoy recruits bring Ferrari World to the desert : Software highlights technical skills of existing and potential employees

Purpose – This paper aims to describe how software helped international architect, master‐planner and architectural designer Benoy quickly to recruit skilled computer‐aided designers to work on the Yas Island project, in Abu Dhabi, which will transform some 25 square kilometres of desert into retail and leisure facilities. Design/methodology/approach – Details how Benoy had to increase its workforce by 30 percent, and how the CADsmart tool helped it to assess the skills of its current and potential employees. Findings – Shows how the software can also be used for training and development, as it provides measurable data for staff appraisals. Practical implications – Demonstrates that use of the software can remove the risks associated with recruiting unproven CAD users. Originality/value – Reveals that, in two years of using CADsmart for recruitment, the software has enabled Benoy to reject several applicants claiming exceptional CAD skills on paper who performed poorly when assessed.