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How to Tap into Poland’s Tech Talent for Your Open AR/AV Roles

March 25, 2024

Extended Reality (XR), encompassing both Augmented Reality (AR) and Audio-Visual (AV) technologies, is in high demand. From transforming retail experiences into immersive encounters to revolutionising training through simulations, XR is poised to reshape industries. Despite a strong history in gaming, highlighted by the success of CD Projekt Red (The Witcher series), VR adoption in Poland’s tech scene has been slow. Finding experienced AR/AV developers can be challenging, where the estimated pool of Polish specialists, according to LinkedIn, is less than 200.

This scarcity doesn’t mean your company needs to abandon ambitious AR/AV projects. Instead, it’s time to adopt a strategic mindset and look beyond the traditional AR/AV talent pool. Poland boasts a thriving tech sector overflowing with skilled C#, C++, Java, Swift, Unity, and Unreal Engine developers. Companies can upskill and unlock the future generation of AR/AV experts by recognising the potential within this talent base.

The Untapped Goldmine – Poland’s Tech Prowess

Poland is a significant software development hub in Europe. The country consistently ranks high in global programming skill assessments, demonstrating a proven capacity for technical excellence. This rich talent pool in core programming languages and game engines offers fertile ground for growing AR/AV expertise. Let’s break down why investing in existing talent makes sense:

  • Transferable Foundations: Developers proficient in C#, C++, Java, or Swift already possess a firm grasp of fundamental programming concepts. AR/AV development often builds upon these languages and object-oriented principles.
  • Game Engine Experience: Unity and Unreal Engine are cornerstones of AR/AV creation. Developers already proficient in these engines bring valuable experience in 3D environment design, asset management, and real-time rendering – all critical aspects of AR/AV projects.

The Upskilling Strategy – Nurturing AR/AV Specialists

The key to bridging the talent gap isn’t finding ready-made AR/AV developers but instead investing in upskilling your existing workforce or recruiting from the broader Polish tech scene. Here’s a roadmap for this approach:

  1. Identify Potential Candidates: Begin by evaluating your current development team or seeking new talent with these criteria:
    • Experience in at least one of the core languages (C#, C++, Java, Swift) or game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine).
    • A passion for technology and eagerness to learn new things.
    • An interest in 3D graphics, user experience, or spatial design principles.
  2. Targeted Training Programs: Design tailored training programs combining the following:
    • AR/AV Frameworks: In-depth training on ARKit, ARCore, Vuforia, or other relevant SDKs, depending on your focus.
    • Spatial Computing Concepts: Educate developers on 3D coordinate systems, object tracking, image recognition, and environmental mapping.
    • User Experience in AR/AV: Emphasise design principles for immersive experiences, focusing on intuitiveness and user comfort.
  3. Mentorship and Project-based Learning: Pair candidates with experienced AR/AV mentors (internal or external) to provide guidance and support. Assign them to smaller-scale AR/AV development efforts within larger projects to gain hands-on experience.
  4. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage an environment of knowledge exchange within your team. Promote regular workshops, presentations, and informal discussions to foster skill development.

Advantages of the Upskilling Approach

Besides expanding your AR/AV talent pool, upskilling has several benefits:

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Training existing developers or recruiting those with transferable skills is often more cost-efficient than competing to recruit from the limited AR/AV specialists pool.
  • Company Culture: Investing in your employees demonstrates a commitment to their growth, boosting morale and retention.
  • Tailored Skills: You can customise the training to align perfectly with your company’s specific AR/AV project needs.

The Case for Looking Beyond the Obvious

While experienced AR/AV developers are undoubtedly valuable, the limited talent pool in Poland calls for creative solutions. By recognising the transferability of core programming and game development skills, you can create a sustainable pipeline of AR/AV talent.

NTIATIVE is a recruitment agency for Software Developers and Data Engineers. We find tech talent in Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk and all other major cities in Poland.

Read also our other posts in the Talent Insights series:

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