The importance of strategic workforce planning
A workforce is only as effective and productive as its skills. Given that these skills are continuously evolving, proactive strategic planning is essential to future-proof your business. Effective workforce planning aligns your organizational strategy with your hiring strategy, providing a safeguard against future skills shortages.
Strategic workforce planning offers numerous benefits:
- Cost savings: Efficient resource allocation reduces unnecessary expenditures.
- Enhanced training plans: Targeted training programs address specific needs.
- Improved change management: A well-prepared workforce adapts more readily to change.
- Better employee experience: Employees feel supported and engaged, fostering loyalty.
By incorporating data-led English language testing into your skills gap analysis, you unlock additional advantages, such as reduced attrition rates. Confident communication is the bedrock of business success and enhances every core workplace power skill. For international businesses, effective communication hinges on English proficiency. Assessing your team’s English language skills allows you to evaluate other business competencies as well.
3 ways language testing enhances workforce planning
Here’s how to incorporate English language assessment at each stage of the employee lifecycle to reinforce your workforce planning.
1. Improves the quality of new hires
English is the global language of business and technology, making it a critical skill to evaluate during the recruitment process. The first step is to test each candidate’s English proficiency during the interview stage. Using an AI-based language assessment tool such as Versant by Pearson allows you to efficiently filter out candidates who do not meet the required proficiency level. This provides a reliable set of metrics to inform your broader workforce planning.
When hiring at scale, this approach accelerates the process and offers an unbiased, accurate picture of current language skill levels.
2. Increases employee engagement and performance
Once employees are onboard, ensure they can continually develop their English language skills. Workplace-relevant English language learning helps employees feel they are making regular progress, boosting their confidence and loyalty to the organization. Ongoing English language development is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to expand into international markets.
3. Identifies skills gaps
If you're investing in English language learning, it’s crucial to measure its effectiveness. Regularly assess employees' English skills to monitor their progress. Integrate these assessments into your strategic workforce planning to identify potential future skills gaps before they arise.
Incorporating language assessment into employee appraisals supports their development, enhances job satisfaction, and builds their confidence to pursue further skills and promotions.
