Research
Skills-first hiring is essential to the future of work.
Many employers struggle to find qualified workers despite a high number of unemployed individuals. A new report by SHRM Foundation and Topos titled "Making the Case for Skills-First Hiring and Advancement to Hiring Professionals" identifies a skills gap causing this mismatch. Read the full report to discover how we can close this skills gap and ensure a strong talent pipeline for the future.
The Rise of Skilled Credentials in Hiring
Workers are gaining skills through skilled credentials.
300%
Increase in unique credentials in the United States since 2018.
77%
of U.S. workers agree having a skilled credential improves their chance of being hired.
68%
of U.S. workers say earning skilled credentials helped them progress in their careers.
Skilled Credentials Are Valued According To:
87%
Executives
81%
Supervisors
90%
HR Professionals
Research Reports
To help address challenges employers face in adopting skills-first hiring approaches, SHRM and the SHRM Foundation, with funding from WorkRise, a project of the Urban Institute, developed an education and assistance program for employers that could be implemented at three levels: low touch (unassisted), medium touch (technology-assisted), and high touch (fully assisted). Over eight months, the program was piloted with employers to identify the most effective strategies and resources for advancing skills-first hiring.
To better understand, educate, and support employers working to revitalize coal-impacted communities and empower coal-impacted workers, the SHRM Foundation and SHRM Research, with support from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC’s) Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic
Revitalization (POWER) Initiative, surveyed HR professionals at employers in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The SHRM Foundation, SHRM, and the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) partnered to gather data from more than 1,400 supply chain workers, supply chain managers, and HR professionals from organizations with supply chain departments across the United States to determine the state of IE&D in supply chain, its impact on businesses’ bottom lines, and best practices for leveraging the power of IE&D across the supply chain and beyond.
This research report answers baseline questions about what a skilled credential is, when and how employers value skilled credentials, what types of skilled credentials are most valued and more.
Learn how to leverage skilled credentials beyond degrees. This report provides effective strategies for hiring and promoting diverse talent based on skills and competencies, leading to a more successful organization.
SHRM conducted this study with support from the Stand Together Trust, to learn more about HR perceptions and how and if degree inflation is a barrier to hiring skilled talent.
Articles & Resources
Browse our library of resources to see what others are saying about skills-first credentials and skills-based hiring.
How we evaluate credentials, training and experience should reflect our expectations for building tomorrow’s workforce.
Focus on skills, not degrees, to help increase your talent pool.
We urge HR professionals and hiring managers to look to individuals with nondegreed credentials as viable candidates for hiring and promotion.
"Every day, businesses miss out on talented people because their gifts, aptitudes, and skills are not as easy to identify as a degree on a resume."
All Things Work Podcast
In this episode of All Things Work, Wendi Safstrom, president of the SHRM Foundation, joins host Tony Lee to discuss skilled credentials and their role in closing the skills gap.
Interviews with Industry Leaders on Skills-First Hiring
SHRM Foundation partnered with WorkingNation to interview industry leaders on the value of skills-first hiring and credentials.
Edie Goldberg
On the need to look at certifications
Diana Spencer
On HR catching up to skills-based hiring
Angela Briggs-Paige
On considering skills when hiring
Tom Mathews
On the value of different skill sets
Gregorio Flores
On assessing beyond the resume