| | 8 DECEMBER 2023HIGHERReviewAccording to an OECD study, more organizations in the Philippines prefer to recruit people with abilities over those with formal education or experience. 38 percent of businesses prefer to recruit applicants with technical capabilities above traditional qualifications such as education and experience. Only 12 percent of employers feel that education and experience are more important than skills.Furthermore, according to the inaugural edition of the Future Talent study from the world's biggest professional network, more organizations in the Philippines would like to select applicants with talents above characteristics like education or experience. When hiring new staff, nearly nine out of 10 Philippine firms choose soft talents such as problem-solving, flexibility, and cooperation. Let's take a look at why the most forward-thinking employers are adopting skills-based recruitment.A Shift from Degrees to CompetenciesSkills-based hiring is becoming more popular because there is a move away from prioritizing degrees and academic qualifications. Although education possesses undeniable value, it is important to note that possessing a degree does not always accurately portray a person's practical skills or their level of preparedness to truly excel in a certain role. Employers have come to realize that possessing a degree does not automatically ensure a candidate's expertise in essential tasks or job-specific skills. In previous times, the primary determinant of a candidate's suitability may have been their qualifications; however, present emphasis is now placed on their competencies instead.The use of skills-based hiring enables employers to pinpoint individuals who can make an instant and valuable contribution to the organization's objectives. Recruiters judge whether a candidate has the necessary practical skills for the job instead of just considering their educational background. This change in emphasis guarantees that the workforce is provided with skilled professionals who can immediately start their work, thereby preserving time and resources that would otherwise be allocated to training and adaptation processes.For example: tech companies are shifting away from mandating a computer science degree and instead focusing on hiring candidates based on their proficiency in specific programming languages or technology skills. One might come across job advertisements seeking a "Python Developer" or an "AWS Certified Solutions Architect," highlighting the importance of being skilled in a specific technology or framework.There is an interesting shift in hiring patterns in recent times. While earlier companies preferred to hire skilled employees, the trend has now shifted, and now the employers focus on hiring professionals with job-relevant skills as well as investing in upskilling their current employees, Says Robin Bhowmik, Chief Business Officer of Manipal Global Education Services.More Inclusivity & DiversityTraditional hiring methods frequently receive criticism due to their inherent biases. When placing excessive focus on degrees, pedigree, and alma mater, there is a risk of unintentionally excluding candidates from diverse backgrounds who possess the necessary skills and potential to succeed in a position. Skills-based hiring helps to reduce this bias by focusing on the abilities and contributions that candidates can offer.Employers are more inclined to assess candidates on their skills, thus increasing the possibility of considering a wider pool of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those who may have lacked opportunities to attend prestigious institutions. The use of this method encourages equality and variety in the work environment, enabling individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds to compete on an equal footing. Consequently, organizations have the opportunity to access a broader range of talented individuals and gain advantages from novel viewpoints and concepts, ultimately augmenting their ability to innovate and compete successfully.FOCAL POINT WHY SKILLS-BASED HIRING IS THE FUTURE OF RECRUITMENT
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