Digital skills are in high demand among recruiters. To younger generations who are growing up in a world where when digital has outmoded analogue, they’re practically second nature. This fully gamified, immersion activity has come on the scene to bolster Spain’s young digital talent.

Universia, which is the world’s largest university network and has been sponsored by Santander from day one, is holding the first-ever Universia STEAM+ esports Competition. With online challenges, video games and networking, this event will connect talented young individuals trained in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (i.e., STEAM fields) to the business world alongside such major companies as Atresmedia, Banco Santander, Iberdrola, Indra, Natury, Nestlé and Securitas Direct. 

The competition has four phases. The first is the application period, which is open until 21 October. Next, applicants who satisfy the basic requirements will be judged according to online skills tests and their CV. The 200 most qualified applicants will move on to the third phase, where they’ll take a skills course and engage in “video sessions” with companies. 

After that, 45 young people will be selected to compete — under the best of circumstances — in an in-person final on 18 November, where they’ll be split into five multidisciplinary teams representing each company and face each other in the video game, Overwatch. They’ll put their cooperation, critical thinking, innovation and agility to the test in a so-called “VUCA” (i.e. Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) setting.

Afterwards, they can share their experiences with the companies in the “Deep Talent” session. The winning STEAM+ team will choose a member to take the grand prize of €5,000 and split it among the others.