Ep 592: Understanding Skills

The shelf life of skills is getting ever shorter, which has significant implications for talent acquisition. It is essential that TA leaders take an active role in developing the overall skills strategy for their business. If employers want to be effective skills-based organizations, it is clear that talent acquisition, talent management, L&D and strategic workforce planning must be closely aligned.

My guest this week is Malcolm Taylor, Head of Capability at the UK Health Security Agency. In the last few years, Malcolm has led a highly effective initiative to use data to drive upskilling, talent development and talent acquisition. In our conversation, he shares valuable insights on skills strategy and some interesting perspectives on the likely role AI will play in L&D in the future.

In the interview, we discuss:

• Why upskilling is so essential in 2024

• The shortening life cycle of skills

• Engagement and retention

• Teaching people how to learn

• Mapping skills within the organization

• Can AI create a common skills language across professions?

• Data-driven decision making

• Community-based learning

• The role of TA in skills-based organizations

• The importance of removing silos in the people function.

• What does the future look like?

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