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Live from RecFest 2025: Disney Recruitment, Gen Z Careers & The Future of Work

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About this episode

Nitin Sharma speaks with Ross Wiltshire, Senior Recruiter for Technology at The Walt Disney Company, and Holly Hobbs, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at urfuture, in this live RecFest 2025 episode. The conversation explores Disney's approach to hiring for technical roles across Disney+ and theme parks, the value of apprenticeships and internships for developing young talent, and how rotation schemes help identify skills. Holly shares her journey from Microsoft apprentice to launching a Gen Z job-matching app.

The discussion covers what Gen Z employees prioritise—ethics, culture and job security—and how organisations can adapt their recruitment strategies accordingly. The guests explore employer branding tactics that resonate with young talent, including day-in-the-life content and authentic employee storytelling. They also examine AI's role in recruitment and entertainment, touching on how young people perceive AI in the workplace.

Key takeaways

  • Disney uses apprenticeships and rotation schemes to develop technical talent and discover skills across Disney+ and theme parks.
  • Gen Z prioritises ethics, culture and job security when choosing employers, requiring organisations to adapt their strategies.
  • Authentic employer branding through day-in-the-life content and employee storytelling attracts young talent more effectively.
  • Breaking into careers without connections is possible through apprenticeships and alternative pathways like job-matching apps.
  • Young people have concerns about AI in recruitment and entertainment, influencing how employers should communicate about AI adoption.

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