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Skills-based hiring is the future.

  • Jenkins
  • Jan 17
  • 3 min read

Updated: Mar 6

In a time defined by technologies driving rapid change, hiring trends are also evolving to meet the demands of an ever-changing workplace. Traditional recruitment methods that look for formal education and years of experience are giving way to a more progressive, skills-based approach. This shift, from prioritising credentials to focusing on capabilities, is not just a trend but a necessity for businesses aiming to thrive in today’s fast-paced environment.

 

What is Skills-Based Hiring?

 

Research shows a growing recognition of the value in hiring for potential rather than strictly adhering to conventional qualifications. According to a recent report from Hays:

 

  • Over three-quarters (77%) of employers are open to hiring individuals without all the required skills, provided they show potential for upskilling.

  • Nearly half (44%) of employers believe that holding a degree is no longer essential.

 

This data underscores the increasing willingness to embrace skills-based hiring. However, many organisations remain hesitant, limited by traditional practices or cautious mindsets.

 

Building a Skills-First Strategy

 

While the idea of skills-based recruitment has gained momentum, turning it into a practical strategy requires a deliberate approach.

 

To implement a skills-first approach effectively, organisations should consider:

 

  1. Develop a Hierarchy of Skills - Identify the mission-critical skills required for success in each role. This structured list is the foundation for job descriptions, assessments, and development plans.


  2. Incorporate Practical Assessments - Move beyond traditional interviews by integrating a variety of practical tests and scenarios tailored to the specific role. These methods ensure candidates are assessed on their actual capabilities rather than just their ability to articulate experience during an interview.


  3. Focus on Upskilling and Reskilling - Create pathways for employees to grow within the organisation.  Conducting a skills gap analysis, investing in continuous learning and creating individual development plans will not only bridge skill gaps but also enhance employee retention and engagement.  An organisation that prioritises upskilling and reskilling will gain a competitive edge by ensuring its workforce is capable of meeting future challenges.

 

Unlock a Broader Talent Pool


Skills-based hiring can unlock a broader talent pool by including candidates with non-traditional backgrounds. These individuals often bring diverse perspectives, creativity, and a hunger to prove themselves—qualities that drive innovation and adaptability.

 

For example, a recent LinkedIn report revealed that organisations with skills-based hiring practices experienced:


  • 24% faster time-to-hire

  • 36% improvement in candidate satisfaction

 

These figures demonstrate that focusing on skills can lead to tangible business benefits, from improved efficiency to stronger team dynamics.

 

How Jenkins Can Help

 

Adopting a skills-first strategy doesn’t have to be daunting. At Jenkins, we’re here to help your business embrace this shift seamlessly. Here’s how we support our clients:


  1. Tailored Role Analysis - We work closely with you to understand your business needs and define the critical skills necessary for success.  We have worked with clients who have struggled to find candidates meeting their traditional requirements including specific degrees or length of experience.  By identifying the critical skills we can broaden the talent pool and access candidates who have excelled due to their transferable skills.


  2. Advanced Assessment Tools - We can work with you to devise practical tests for candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply knowledge in a practical context, conduct behavioral interviews to evaluate how candidates handled past challenges, and include situational exercises to evaluate decision-making and problem-solving abilities.


  3. Access to Hidden Talent - Our extensive networks and expertise in finding hard-to-reach candidates allow us to present diverse and high-potential talent pools. Clients sometimes find the market is saturated with candidates lacking the niche skills required but using our expertise we can find candidates who have gained these skills through a different route.


  4. Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy - Skill-based hiring naturally promotes diversity by reducing biases tied to educational background. We champion inclusive hiring practices that build teams rich in perspectives and innovation.


  5. Future-Proofing Your Workforce - Beyond immediate needs, we help identify candidates with the potential to grow and adapt as your business evolves.  We work with you to look to the future and plan ahead identifying needs way before they arise.  This gives us a head start in our search for the ideal candidate.

 

Final Thoughts

 

As we move into 2025, the case for skills-based hiring has never been stronger. Organisations that prioritise adaptability, innovation, and potential over rigid qualifications will be better equipped to navigate the challenges of the workplace.


At Jenkins, we pride ourselves on helping businesses like yours find and nurture talent that doesn’t just fill roles but drives success.

 

Contact Us Today


If you are ready to embrace skills-based hiring, let us guide you every step of the way. From skills anaylsis to designing effective assessments, we’ll help you build resilient, future-ready teams.

 
 
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