Recruiting and retaining skilled talent is an increasing priority for employers of all sizes. As businesses strive to stay competitive, leveraging digital transformation tools to implement skills-based hiring and advancement practices is becoming essential. However, many of these tools are still new, and few employers have had direct experience utilizing them.
Recently at Transform 2025, the U.S. Chamber Foundation hosted a workshop to explore these emerging tools and approaches. The session provided HR leaders, employers, and tech providers with practical insights into skills-first hiring and workforce development.
Key Takeaways from the Workshop
The session featured engaging discussions, particularly in small table conversations that allowed for deeper exploration of critical workforce challenges. The workshop highlighted how organizations can adopt skills-based practices to improve hiring and career advancement, focusing on two pressing issues:
- Trusting Skills Claims – Employers often struggle to validate the skills that candidates claim to have. Traditional resumes and degrees provide only a partial picture, making it difficult to assess true competency.
- Helping Candidates Communicate Their Skills – Many job seekers, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds, find it challenging to effectively convey their skills in a way that resonates with hiring managers.
A live poll conducted during the session confirmed these as primary concerns among participants, reinforcing the need for better tools and strategies to address them.
Expert Insights and Solutions
The workshop featured insights from experts leading efforts to bridge the skills gap:
- Taylor Hansen, executive director at the U.S. Chamber Foundation, introduced the tools being developed by the T3 Innovation Network, aimed at enhancing transparency and trust in skills-based hiring.
- Courtney Hills McBeth, chief academic officer and provost at Western Governors University (WGU), showcased how Learning and Employment Records (LERs) and digital credentials empower individuals to effectively document and share their skills with employers.
- Lisa Lutz, president and CEO of Solutions for Information Design, Inc., and Gregory Summers, CEO of Orion Talent, shared best practices for helping military veterans and their spouses translate their skills for civilian careers, ensuring they receive fair recognition for their capabilities.
Looking Ahead
The insights from this workshop underscored the importance of embracing digital tools to modernize hiring practices. By using innovative solutions like LERs, digital credentials, and competency-based assessments, employers can build a more inclusive and competitive workforce.
As we move forward, the conversation continues. How can businesses and job seekers collaborate to ensure skills-based hiring becomes the norm? What additional tools and strategies can help close the communication gap between talent and employers?
The Transform 2025 workshop provided a valuable forum for these discussions, offering actionable strategies to navigate the evolving world of work. As more organizations adopt these practices, we move closer to a labor market where skills—not just degrees or past job titles—are the primary currency for career growth and business success.
Learn more about the T3 Network and other workforce solutions at the U.S. Chamber Foundation.
