Some of the world's most successful companies have made new assessment and certification programs the foundation of their success in attracting and retaining customers and talent. But it's not just the Fortune 500 companies that are moving more quickly to assess front-line talent. Small and medium-sized companies are also rapidly adopting assessments into their talent development mix. What was once considered a nice-to-have is now becoming the must-have for organizations seeking to attract, develop and retain talent, while also growing their customer base, and there are many reasons why.
1. Uphold company standards to improve client retention
Today's customers want value, not a relationship. They want the sell-side to understand their business and they want to understand how the solutions being offered drives value and efficacy. Showing value whether in architecting a new solution or installing a new maintenance schedule is what matters most. Proving this value can often seem challenging, however, it all starts with ensuring the skillsets of your employees can back up the value being offered to customers or potential customers. To do so, employees must meet specific criteria to prove their understanding of key competencies, which is oftentimes is best achieved through a certification process. The criterion for the certification should include what some call a "book knowledge" which provides a hands-on overview of the of the job task to be accomplished. For example, employees must complete a series of task simulations to prove their proficiency. As such, you can rest assured that these individuals will accurately reflect your brand image and ensure client satisfaction.
2. Retain talent
Few things are as affirming and rewarding to an employee than to feel wanted and appreciated. And one of the best ways to show you care is to help them advance their career by offering an opportunity to learn and grow through an assessment and certification-based training program. Online training certificates give your employees the power to learn a new skill at their own pace. They can tackle topics one at a time instead of trying to absorb large quantities of information. Greater employee satisfaction translates into greater workplace productivity.
3. Provide proof of competency in the event of an audit
Audits can be stressful and time-consuming. Sometimes they may even be costly if the auditor discovers violations or inconsistencies in your paperwork. Fortunately, certification programs allow you to provide proof of employee competency in key functions relevant for your organization. For example, research shows that mandatory health and safety certification training has a lower Lost Workday Rate (LWR). Online training certifications also allow you to minimize the risk of violations, as employees have all the resources they need to comply with policies.
4. Track employee performance more effectively
An assessment & certification program allows you to improve the efficacy of your training program. For just as a compass guides a boat, your assessment program will guide your training program. Thus, you're able to track employee performance more effectively by analyzing training milestones. For example, you know that your firm's representative can describe a new system application or system upgrade if they pass the respective online training certification course. Additionally, assessments & certification can serve as the core of your skills taxonomy and career pathways.
5. Focus on areas for improvement
Addressing individual differences is and will always remain one of the biggest challenges for any Learning and Development (L&D) team. Studies show that up to 60% of people are in the wrong job, and a proper assessment of their interest, cognitive skills, and abilities would have saved many dollars in rehiring and retraining costs. With the appropriate assessment and certification program, your employees can identify areas for improvement and access online training and certifications to close the gaps.
6. Create a culture of learning with certifications
Self-starters often seize every opportunity to improve their professional knowledge and master new skill sets. Online Assessment, training and certification courses enable them to upskill their own time to achieve their personal goals. Additionally, more and more employers require certifications as an "and" to degrees to fill specific jobs.
7. Allow employees and partners to upgrade their skills on their own
Allow your employees to learn on their own time. If there's one thing, the COVID-19 pandemic has proven it’s that employees will learn online and on their own time if the value of that investment is clear and self-evident. Today's online courses, pre-tests, and certification exams are light years ahead of those available just a decade ago. They’re engaging, credible, and can match many instructor-lead courses for the level of engagement and learning efficacy. Not all online assessment, training, and certification programs are the same, however, so it's essential that you first establish the goals and outcomes sought from any training program and determine which KPI matters, not just which courses to offer.
8. Enhance your brand and credibility
Online training certifications are a sign of achievement and mastery. They show that your employees are competent and have a commitment to excellence. This reflects positively on your organization as a whole and enhances your credibility. People know that you value employee development. You're going the extra mile to ensure that every member of your team meets your standards and has the resources they require. Online certifications also serve another essential purpose, which is to build customer loyalty. Ultimately, customers and clients benefit from well-trained employees, as well.
The benefits of adding assessments to the talent development mix are significant for organizations of any size. Are you ready to get started?