Some 42% of workplace skills could be irrelevant by this time next year.1 Questionmark, the online assessment provider, is urging employers, to invest in a “skills shake-up to shore-up” during 2021. Doing so will ensure that workers have skills fit for the future.

The World Economic Forum has predicted that the skills required in the workforce will have radically shifted by 2022.2 Crucial skills will include strong digital capabilities, high data literacy, interpersonal abilities and critical thinking. The outbreak of Covid-19 has only emphasized the importance of these skills.3

But with the disruption of Covid-19, many firms have scaled down their training programs. Others are delivering training which could be failing to develop the necessary skills. Research shows that only 25% of learning and development training is judged to be effective.4 Across the world, $130 billion is spent on these programs.

Testing the skills of workers gives employers reliable information about areas of strength and weaknesses. By conducting regular online staff assessments, employers can:

  • Identify which skills are missing in the workforce
  • Create meaningful skills development programs
  • Tailor career development plans to the needs of each worker
  • Check that staff training is working
  • Improve the efficacy of future training courses

Lars Pedersen, CEO of Questionmark said: “Whatever the twists and turns of 2021, it is vital that skills development is given the priority it deserves. Despite the challenges of social distancing, a failure to invest in developing skills will risk performance and store up problems for the future.

“By regularly testing the skills of the workforce, employers gain a clear read on strengths, weaknesses and areas for development. They can measure the effectiveness of their skills development strategies. They can improve training and make better decisions on recruitment.”

The Questionmark enterprise-grade platform makes assessment content easy to create and adapt. The platform automatically marks papers and instantly compiles results. It is easy to spot trends and patterns. When the stakes are high, a range of anti-cheating measures are available.

www.questionmark.com

About Questionmark

Questionmark unlocks performance through reliable and secure online assessments.

Questionmark provides a secure enterprise-grade assessment platform and professional services to leading organizations around the world, delivered with care and unequalled expertise. Its full-service online assessment tool and professional services help customers to improve their performance and meet their compliance requirements. Questionmark enables organizations to unlock their potential by delivering assessments which are valid, reliable, fair and defensible.

Questionmark offers secure powerful integration with other LMS, LRS and proctoring services making it easy to bring everything together in one place. Questionmark's cloud-based assessment management platform offers rapid deployment, scalability for high-volume test delivery, 24/7 support, and the peace-of-mind of secure, audited U.S., Australian and European-based data centers.

1 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/reskilling-revolution-jobs-future-skills/
2 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/reskilling-revolution-jobs-future-skills/
3 https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonchandler/2020/05/12/coronavirus-is-forcing-companies-to-speed-up-automation-for-better-and-for-worse/?sh=50c1fcdd5906
4 https://trainlikeachampion.blog/infographic-why-corporate-training-is-a-colossal-waste-and-what-to-do-about-it/