Ramesh Ramani looks at the need for efficient skills verification and examines how technology tools are reshaping industries and offering real-time solutions
In the recent Gartner Leadership Vision for LandD Leaders in 2024 report, a staggering 83% of HR leaders express difficulty in locating talent with the necessary skills. What’s more, 57% believe that skills shortages are hampering their ability to maintain business performance. This skills gap isn’t just about a shortage of available talent, it’s also about the systems and administrative bottlenecks that hold up hires, particularly when it comes to the demonstration and verification of skills and essential qualifications.
The need for fast skills verification is particularly acute in industries that are highly regulated, where skills are also a matter of compliance
For businesses to keep up with the pace of hiring, and for candidates to be able to showcase their skills easily without needing to re-invent their resume every time, tech tools that offer seamless, real-time verification of skills are now sorely needed. Such tools not only empower employees to demonstrate their expertise anytime, anywhere, but also provide companies with the assurances they need when hiring or collaborating with temporary workers or making rapid hires. The need for fast skills verification is particularly acute in industries that are highly regulated, where skills are also a matter of compliance.
The imperative of skills regulation for employees and employers
Certain industries stand out above others for their rigorous compliance standards. These sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, government, finance, insurance, and technology, demand a high level of proficiency and adherence to regulations. Ensuring that employees possess the necessary training and certifications isn’t just about compliance; it’s about safety, efficacy, and maintaining public trust. In such environments, the stakes are high, and the margin for error is slim.
The challenges of the modern workforce, especially with the rise of remote and hybrid work models, have amplified the need for efficient verification mechanisms. Employees, whether they’re in an office, a remote location, or in the field, must have immediate access to their credentials. This “back pocket” accessibility ensures that they can not only perform their duties but also validate their qualifications on the spot. Moreover, digital skills verification isn’t solely for the benefit of employees. HR professionals and administrators also gain immensely from this transformation, especially when faced with compliance audits. It streamlines the process, ensuring that they can swiftly and accurately report on the qualifications of their workforce.
In addition to individual empowerment, managers and team leaders also benefit from having instant access to their team’s credentials, ensuring they align the right talent with the right tasks. However, the traditional methods of credential verification, often reliant on physical documentation and manual checks, are ill-suited for this new era. The decentralised nature of today’s workforce means that employees might need to showcase their skills and certifications at any given moment, irrespective of their geographical location. Innovative technological solutions, such as cloud-based digital profiles, are stepping in to bridge this gap. These tools offer a centralised, digital repository of an individual’s skills, training, and certifications, meaning verification can take place in real-time.
The implications of such technologies are profound, especially for industries that are highly regulated like healthcare.
Spotlight: digitalising credentials in the healthcare sector
The healthcare industry, with its intricate web of regulations and standards, is at the forefront of sectors requiring impeccable compliance. Ensuring that healthcare professionals, whether they’re nurses, doctors, or technicians, are equipped and certified to perform specialised tasks in line with industry regulations is non-negotiable. Along with general medical licenses, these certifications might include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or Certification in Infection Control (CIC), among countless others. However, the gig-style work model, characterised by individuals working with multiple organisations, across varied job sites, and on fluctuating schedules, complicates this verification process.
The King’s Fund, which offers insights into the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, puts this succinctly: “There is strong demarcation of roles and responsibilities, such as prescribing powers between different staff groups, that are heavily reinforced by legislation or regulation.”
Enter the era of digitalised training credentials. Equipped with features such as QR-based credentialing systems, are revolutionising the way healthcare professionals showcase their skills and qualifications. No matter where they are, these professionals can swiftly verify their expertise, making them ready to take on new roles and challenges without delay. Such tools streamline the credentialing process, allowing healthcare organisations to instantly check certifications and skills. This not only ensures that the right professionals are in the right roles but also instils confidence in patients and other stakeholders about the quality of care being provided.
Beyond healthcare
The broader implications of these digital tools extend beyond just the healthcare sector. They signify a transformative shift in how industries, especially those that are highly regulated, will approach the evolving models of work and hiring. By equipping organisations to seamlessly onboard, train and certify a diverse range of workers, from full-time employees to freelancers, these innovations ensure that industries can maintain optimal staffing levels, deliver quality services, and remain profitable in an ever-evolving economic landscape.
As we navigate the changes happening in real-time in the professional world, it’s clear that traditional methods of skill verification need to evolve. The integration of technology with the needs of a distributed workforce goes beyond just making things easier; it highlights a shift in how we view trust in the workplace. As industries adjust to these changes, it raises questions: Are we heading towards a future where our professional identity is closely tied to digital records? And in this era of transparency, how will companies establish trust, not just in the qualifications of their employees but in the tools that confirm them? The path ahead is both challenging and promising.
By Ramesh Ramani, CEO and President, ExpertusONE
