According to a recent article in The Times, the number of ‘overeducated’ workers has increased by a third, but companies are still failing to get the most out of their skilled employees.
Research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows that a whopping five million UK workers with degrees, apprenticeships, or other qualifications are currently stuck in jobs that do not require the specialist skills they possess.
It’s an eye-opening statistic that really raises questions about the current recruitment and training processes that are in place within businesses.
The current mismatch between training and what employers find useful could potentially mean another ten years of stalled productivity and falling wages – an outcome detrimental to both businesses and its workers.
One of the key points highlighted in the IPPR report was the need for effective training, with around a quarter of productivity growth accounted for by proper skills and training.
How can psychometric assessments help?
This is where psychometric assessments would make a fundamental difference, both to the initial employment process and to company training thereafter.
The beauty of psychometric assessments is that there are no right or wrong answers, rather the assessment allows employers to better understand a potential candidate and learn more about their character and the skills they have.
The online Prevue Assessments take around 35 minutes to complete and measure specific aspects of an individual’s character. The results show their general capability and highlight any training and personal development needs.
The assessment helps employers understand the mental ability of a given candidate, as well as their motivations, interests and personality – giving a complete picture of their potential employee.
Within the employment process, these assessments can prove to be a valuable tool in helping employers determine which of the prospective candidates is a suitable fit for the role from a cultural perspective.
By taking a more thorough approach from the outset employers can ensure they are recruiting individuals that have the required skills to undertake the role, and a personality that matches the culture of the business.
This will save businesses valuable time and money by recruiting the right person immediately, and will benefit the candidates knowing they are appropriate for the role.
From a training perspective, psychometric assessments are an effective way of determining the strengths of your current team, and highlighting the areas that require improvement.
By identifying these areas, businesses can train and develop their workforce appropriately, preventing a situation where employees are overqualified or working within a role that does not match their skills and experience.
In the Times article, Seamus Nevin, of the Institute of Directors, acknowledged that the UK has long lagged its competitors in adult skills and training.
“Four in ten Institute of Directors members report the lack of appropriate skills in the workforce as their biggest barrier to growth” he said.
Psychometric assessments within the workplace could just be the first step to helping solve this growing problem of stalled business productivity.