Why and How to Use Competency Assessments to Drive Learning Initiatives

Simply put, competency assessments are any tools that can measure the behaviors which people demonstrate while carrying out a specific job or task. Such behaviors are the result of different motivations, knowledge, abilities, and skills that any individual student or employee might possess.
Using competency assessments with specific job requirements in mind can drive learning initiatives and provide consistent results. 
Benefits of Competency Assessments
Organizations that utilize competency-based assessments can expect the following results:

• Create a stronger and more effective group of employees
• Ensure that students are well-equipped for specific employment
• Save money on external hiring costs
• Avoid spending money on ineffective training and education
• Know the specific abilities of employees and/or students

Competency assessments not only identify an individual’s skill set but can also encourage people to learn new skills and hone those they already possess. 
Assessments should be administered across an organization in a consistent manner in order to be effective and fair. A certain competency must be first be identified and then measured according to every job.
How Competency Assessments Can Boost Learning Initiatives
If someone wants to understand how an employee is currently performing in their given role or what kind of skills they’ll need to fulfill the requirements of a future role, a competency assessment can do this for you.
By knowing how well your employees are able to perform certain tasks, where there might be weaknesses, you can design learning initiatives that are more accurate at strengthening your employee’s knowledge and thereby helping your company achieve its goals.
Establishing a benchmark to measure an employee’s performance, whether it is their current role or future responsibilities, can be an effective tool for determining how you want to develop your workforce.
Assessment can also be used for understanding organizational competencies. How well your employees are able to act in a cohesive manner or have the ability to differentiate can help you compete in a crowded marketplace.
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