The future of skills gap analysis is digital

How integrating your skills management software and LMS can take your organization to the next level

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The skilled workforce is not found, it’s made‍

‍In this competitive job market, having a skilled workforce is critical for businesses to succeed. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, by 2025 50% of all employees will need reskilling as adoption of technology increases.  

Let’s be clear, robots are not after our jobs! It’s the jobs themselves that are changing, by becoming less routine, more specialized, and requiring adaptability to new technologies. In essence, through technology automation, the workforce has shifted from manual-based labor to knowledge-based labor.

To remain competitive, companies have been prioritizing learning and development (L&D) initiatives, investing heavily in employee training. However, 75% of senior managers at organizations are still dissatisfied with the results of their L&D programs. So, why are so many L&D programs failing to meet their objectives and what are companies to do to remedy this?  

In this article, we will discuss skills gap analysis automation and how integrating skills management software with your learning management system doesn’t just improve your internal HR processes but takes your workforce to a whole other level. Let’s start from the beginning. ‍

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What is a skills gap and how do you close it?

A skills gap refers to the difference between the skills that employers seek in their employees and the skills that job applicants possess. It is a situation where there is a mismatch between the skills required for a particular job or industry and the skills possessed by the workforce.

This gap can occur for a variety of reasons, such as technological advancements, changes in industry practices, or inadequate training programs. As a result, employers may struggle to find qualified candidates to fill certain roles, while workers may face difficulties finding employment due to a lack of relevant skills. Closing the skills gap typically involves initiatives such as targeted education and training programs, apprenticeships, and employer-led workforce development efforts.

Closing the skills gap in an organization requires a strategic approach that involves identifying the skills that are in high demand, assessing the current skills of the workforce, and developing targeted training and development programs to bridge the gap.

Here are some steps that can be taken to close the skills gap in your organization:‍

1. ‍Conduct a skills gap analysis: A skills gap analysis is a process of identifying the skills and knowledge that your organization needs to meet its objectives and comparing them to the current skills and knowledge of your workforce. This analysis will help you to identify the specific skills and knowledge gaps that exist within your organization.
2. ‍Develop targeted training and development programs: Based on the results of your skills gap analysis, develop targeted training and development programs that focus on developing the skills and knowledge needed to bridge the gap. These programs can include on-the-job training, mentoring, coaching, and external training courses.
3. ‍Invest in software tools: Software tools can automate certain tasks and processes, reducing the need for specialized skills in those areas. They can also improve productivity and efficiency, freeing up employees to focus on higher-level tasks that require more specialized skills. When selecting software tools, it's important to consider the specific needs of your organization and the skills gap that you are trying to address.
4. ‍Encourage continuous learning: Encourage employees to continue learning and developing their skills by providing opportunities for ongoing education and training. This can include offering access to online training courses, conferences, and workshops.
5. ‍Foster a culture of learning: Create a culture of learning within your organization by encouraging employees to share their knowledge and expertise with others. This can be done through cross-functional projects, job shadowing, and mentoring programs.
6. ‍Partner with educational institutions: Partner with educational institutions to create training programs that are tailored to the specific needs of your organization. This can include apprenticeships, internships, and work-study programs.

Closing the skills gap in your organization requires a long-term commitment to training and development. By implementing targeted training and development programs, fostering a culture of learning, and partnering with educational institutions, you can develop and manage the skills and knowledge needed to meet the changing needs of your organization.

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What is skills management and why is it important?

Skills management refers to the process of identifying, developing, and tracking the skills and competencies of employees within an organization. It involves assessing the existing skills of employees, identifying any gaps in their skills, and providing them with the necessary training and resources to enhance their skills and improve their performance.

Skills management is crucial for organizations for several reasons:

• Firstly, it helps to ensure that employees have the necessary skills to perform their jobs effectively. By providing training and development opportunities, organizations can help employees stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies, which can improve their performance and productivity.
• Secondly, skills management helps to retain top talent within an organization. Employees are more likely to stay with an organization if they feel that they are valued and have opportunities for career growth and development. By investing in their employees' skills development, organizations can create a more engaged and motivated workforce.
• Thirdly, skills management is important for succession planning. By identifying the skills and competencies required for different roles within an organization, employers can identify potential successors for key positions and ensure that they have the necessary skills and experience to step into these roles when needed.

Skills management is essential for organizations to ensure that their employees have the necessary skills and competencies to perform their jobs effectively, retain top talent, and plan for the future. By investing in skills management software, organizations can tailor a seamless automated process that will create a more engaged and motivated workforce and position themselves for long-term success.

Find out how the healthcare industry approaches talent management

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What is skills management software?

Skills management software is a type of technology solution that enables organizations to manage and track the skills and competencies of their workforce. It is designed to help organizations identify skill gaps, provide training and development opportunities, and ensure that employees have the necessary skills to perform their jobs effectively.

Skills management software typically includes features such as skills assessment tools, training and development modules, competency tracking, and reporting and analytics. These tools can help organizations to identify the skills and competencies of their employees, assess their current skill levels, and track their progress as they acquire new skills.

Skills management software can be particularly useful for large organizations or those with complex workforces, where it can be difficult to keep track of the skills and competencies of all employees manually. By automating the skills management process, organizations can save time and resources and ensure that their employees have the skills they need to perform their jobs effectively.

Overall, skills management software can very efficiently help organizations to stay competitive and adapt to changing industry trends by removing antiquated manual processes, providing a complete overview of the entire workforce. The benefits of this technology are even more significant when integrated with other human resources and learning technologies, such as learning management systems.

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What is a learning management system (LMS) and how is it different from skills management platform?

A learning management system is a technology solution designed to manage and deliver training and educational content to employees, customers, or partners. It typically includes features such as content creation, course administration, learner tracking, and reporting.

On the other hand, skills management software is focused on identifying, tracking, and developing the skills and competencies of employees. It typically includes features such as skills assessments, competency tracking, and training and development modules.

While both LMS and skills management software have a training and development focus, they differ in their scope and functionality. LMS is primarily focused on delivering and managing training content, whereas skills management software is focused on identifying and tracking the skills and competencies of employees.

LMS can be used to deliver both formal and informal training, such as onboarding, compliance training, and ongoing professional development. Skills management software, on the other hand, is focused on assessing and developing the skills required for specific job roles or functions within an organization.

Essentially, learning management software is primarily focused on the delivery and administration of training content, whereas skills management software is focused on identifying and tracking the skills and competencies of employees to ensure they have the necessary skills to perform their job roles effectively. When both these technologies are seamlessly combined, that is when the magic happens!

How to choose the right LMS for your organization

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Integrating skills management software with LMS   

Integrating your skills management software with an LMS can provide several benefits for your organization. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Improved alignment between training and skills development: Integrating skills management software with LMS can help ensure that the training content delivered through the LMS is aligned with the skills and competencies required for specific job roles or functions within the organization. This can help employees acquire the skills they need to perform their job roles effectively and efficiently.
2. Personalized learning experiences: By integrating skills management software with LMS, organizations can provide personalized learning experiences to employees. The skills management software can help identify skills gaps for each employee, and the LMS can deliver personalized training content based on their specific needs.
3. Increased efficiency: Integrating skills management software with LMS can help improve the efficiency of the training process. The skills management software can automatically identify the skills gaps and recommend relevant training content to the LMS, reducing the need for manual intervention.
4. Better tracking and reporting: By integrating skills management software with LMS, organizations can track the progress of employees as they acquire new skills and competencies. This can help provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the training programs and help identify areas for improvement.
5. Improved talent management: Integrating skills management software with LMS can help organizations manage their talent more effectively. By identifying skills gaps and providing targeted training and development opportunities, organizations can help employees grow and develop their skills, which can lead to improved retention rates and a more engaged workforce.

Learn why it is critical for integrations to be seamless

A marriage made in HR heaven

Programming your skills and learning management technologies to work in unison is the secret sauce for creating an agile, highly skilled and prepared workforce for ultimate resiliency and a feature-ready organization.

Integrating skills management software with LMS can help your organization improve the efficiency of your training programs, provide personalized learning experiences to employees, and help HR manage talent more effectively.  

Once you have decided to invest in a skills management technology, have a conversation with your LMS provider and find out if they have the capability to integrate an external skills management platform, or better yet, if they have one already built in, like ours.

Learn how your organization can help prepare their best workforce.