Medicine Hat launches new tools to help employers assess skills beyond traditional credentials

“Competency Match helps employers focus on the skills and abilities that matter most, making it easier to identify strong candidates who might otherwise be overlooked.”

The program was developed with workforce development experts and local employers and is intended to provide a more structured approach to recruitment.

Rather than relying heavily on third-party credentials, formal education or a specific number of years of experience, competency-based hiring examines how candidates apply their knowledge in workplace situations.

That can include how they solve problems, communicate with others, collaborate, adapt to changing circumstances and perform the tasks required in a particular position.

The Competency Match employer playbook includes six practical tools, which can be combined or used separately throughout the hiring process.

The City says the tools are intended to help employers establish hiring practices that are more transparent, consistent and evidence-based.

The resources could also help employers better assess international education and work experience, an area identified as a potential challenge for both businesses and job seekers.

For candidates, the approach can provide more opportunities to demonstrate what they can actually do rather than having their qualifications assessed solely through traditional credentials.

Medicine Hat Economic Development says organizations of different sizes and across a range of industries can adapt the resources.

The launch reflects a growing interest in competency-based hiring as employers look for new ways to address labour shortages and make better use of the skills already available in the local workforce.

The Competency Match tools are available through the City of Medicine Hat’s website. They are available at no cost through Medicine Hat Economic Development.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat launches new tools to help employers assess skills beyond traditional credentials

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