Make better people decisions using skill assessment

Understanding skills within your workforce is more critical than ever. Mercer’s comprehensive approach to skill assessment empowers organizations to identify gaps, enhance employee development and drive strategic workforce planning. Equip managers and teams to address current skill gaps and adapt to changing demands with innovative tools and insights, ultimately positioning your organization for sustained success.

Bridging the skills gap

39%

of employees’ skills are likely to be outdated in the next five years, signaling that businesses need a firm grip on the skills they have and the skills they need — and how these may change with time.1

47%

of employees believe their managers understand their skills/skills gaps, suggesting a disconnect with many managers that hinders talent development, career progression and employee satisfaction.2

48%

of companies fail to consider skills insights for career pathing and talent mobility, missing opportunities to leverage valuable data that could enhance employee development and retention.3

9%

of businesses use technology to infer skills, indicating slow adoption of innovative solutions that could provide a comprehensive understanding of workforce capabilities.4

A comprehensive approach to skill assessment

Measuring and developing skills is essential for creating agile and sustainable businesses. But the process can be challenging and difficult to scale. 

We recommend a portfolio approach to skills measurement that leverages available talent insights. This includes inferred skills, rated skills and validated skills — each offering distinct advantages for various talent decisions, from hiring to retirement. Our approach involves:

  • Establishing a skills measurement playbook to drive efficiency, effectiveness and governance
  • Designing and executing approaches for measuring the skills of an employee population — considering needs analysis, tool design and selections, insights development, and activation
  • Access to fit-for-purpose, scalable skills measurement tools, including Mercer’s Skills Gap Analysis Tool

Match skills to people across your organization

Mercer’s Skills Gap Analysis Tool offers a foundational and simple step toward    understanding skill proficiencies across teams, departments and functions. Rated skills data provide critical insights into key talent questions:

  • Where are the biggest gaps in our talent pool?
  • Do we have existing talent with the skills for other roles or future opportunities?
  • How do I understand my employees’ skill proficiencies in relation to aligned job families?
  • How can I help my employees understand their skill development?

This innovative, automated tool effortlessly collects rated skills data, delivering consistent and reliable results.

What sets Mercer’s Skills Gap Analysis Tool apart?

  • Customizable skills library
    Use either Mercer’s Skills Library or add custom skills specific to your jobs.
  • Consistent measurement across employees
    Incorporate both manager and employee ratings of skill proficiency, ensuring a comprehensive view.
  • Benchmarking skills
    View expected proficiency levels for each skill associated with specific job roles or job families. This benchmarking helps identify development needs and enhance employee performance, complementing manager ratings.
  • Actionable talent insights
    Access leader reports on skill gaps, team capabilities and organizational needs, informing targeted reskilling and upskilling activities.
  • Empowering your employees
    Provide personalized reports for employees outlining their skill gaps and development opportunities.
  • Future-ready ratings
    Assess skills against current and future job requirements.

Establish a future-fit strategy for skill assessment

Leveraging multiple data sources lets you create a holistic understanding of your employees’ skills, facilitating targeted reskilling and upskilling initiatives that align with both individual career aspirations and organizational objectives. This synergy not only enhances workforce agility but also drives strategic workforce planning and change management, ensuring that your organization is well-equipped to navigate current demands and future challenges.

A future-fit skills strategy empowers your workforce to continuously adapt and thrive, allowing your business to navigate changing tides.

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