2. Adopt skills- based hiringpracticesBusinesses and the education industry Using a skills taxonomy is the first step to em- bark on skills-first hiring practices. Skills-first hiring consists of featuring skills and compe-tencies in job descriptions, adopting common standards for designing and adopting skills-based assessments, and aligning on common standards for documenting, recognizing and verifying skills earned. Skills-first hiring allows organizations to tap into diverse talent pools by, when appropriate, being flexible with formal degree requirements as a pre-condition for hir - ing, and prioritizing and assessing candidates’ current skills, capabilities and potential. Learn more about how Skillsoft leverages technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for skills-based assessments.Governments First, adopt skills-first practices in national em- ployment services by r evising job descriptions to focus on essential skills, standardizing skills recording and verification, and impl ementing skills-based assessment tools. Le veraging AI- driven technologies and algorithms for skills- based job matching on employment platforms enables a mor e precise connection between jobseekers and roles suited to the ir capabilities. Promoting skills-based hiring and career pro- gr ession within the private sector can help gov- er nments cultivate a more adaptable workforce. This approach not only strengthens jobseekers’ employment prospects and aligns tal ent supply with industry demand; it also builds a culture that values skills as the primar y driver of career advancement, empowering individuals to shape their professional paths more effectively.See: –Key insight 3 to learn how to adop t skills- based assessments and examples of as- sessment methods. –Key insight 4 to learn how to leverage the Global Skills T axonomy to establish common standards by defining proficiency levels that reflect an individual ’s abilities and knowledge within a particular skill. –Key insights 5 to learn how to embed skills and proficiency levels in job descriptions. Leveraging skill taxonomies with advance- ments in AI, we can help organizations and the workforce, align learning with transfor - mation priorities. By integrating skill assess-ments into the employee journey, we build innovation and agility for the enterprise and career opportunity for their people. This ap-proach addresses common challenges by mapping skills to job roles and providing re-al-time practice through AI-driven learning experiences. This alignment enhances work-force capability and supports career mobility, making skills the currency that drives both organizational success and individual profes-sional growth. Skillsoft Global Skills Taxonomy Adoption Toolkit 17

Global Skills Taxonomy Adoption Toolkit 2025