Improve your strategic workforce planning with English language testing

Samantha Ball
Business people sat at a table with papers smiling together
Reading time: 3 minutes

Companies constantly seek methods to optimize workforce productivity and effectiveness. A powerful approach to achieving this goal is through strategic workforce planning bolstered by English language testing. This tactic not only identifies and addresses skills gaps but also reduces attrition and strengthens your workforce for both short-term and long-term success.

Improve your strategic workforce planning with English language testing
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ÃÛÌÒapp can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Download the PDF version here

The importance of strategic workforce planning

A workforce is only as effective and productive as its skills. Given that these skills are continuously evolving, proactive strategic planning is essential to future-proof your business. Effective workforce planning aligns your organizational strategy with your hiring strategy, providing a safeguard against future skills shortages.

Strategic workforce planning offers numerous benefits:

  • Cost savings: Efficient resource allocation reduces unnecessary expenditures.
  • Enhanced training plans: Targeted training programs address specific needs.
  • Improved change management: A well-prepared workforce adapts more readily to change.
  • Better employee experience: Employees feel supported and engaged, fostering loyalty.

By incorporating data-led English language testing into your skills gap analysis, you unlock additional advantages, such as reduced attrition rates. Confident communication is the bedrock of business success and enhances every core workplace power skill. For international businesses, effective communication hinges on English proficiency. Assessing your team’s English language skills allows you to evaluate other business competencies as well.

3 ways language testing enhances workforce planning

Here’s how to incorporate English language assessment at each stage of the employee lifecycle to reinforce your workforce planning.

1. Improves the quality of new hires

English is the global language of business and technology, making it a critical skill to evaluate during the recruitment process. The first step is to test each candidate’s English proficiency during the interview stage. Using an AI-based language assessment tool such asÌýVersant by ÃÛÌÒapp allows you to efficiently filter out candidates who do not meet the required proficiency level. This provides a reliable set of metrics to inform your broader workforce planning.

When hiring at scale, this approach accelerates the process and offers an unbiased, accurate picture of current language skill levels.

2. Increases employee engagement and performance

Once employees are onboard, ensure they can continually develop their English language skills. Workplace-relevant English language learning helps employees feel they are making regular progress, boosting their confidence and loyalty to the organization. Ongoing English language development is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to expand into international markets.

3. Identifies skills gaps

If you're investing in English language learning, it’s crucial to measure its effectiveness. Regularly assess employees' English skills to monitor their progress. Integrate these assessments into your strategic workforce planning to identify potential future skills gaps before they arise.

Incorporating language assessment into employee appraisals supports their development, enhances job satisfaction, and builds their confidence to pursue further skills and promotions.

Contact us about workplace language solutions

Realize the business benefits of including English skills in your workforce planning

English language proficiency serves as an effective benchmark for strengthening workforce planning, mitigating against future skills gaps, and improving employee retention. Here’s how.

  • Identifies skills gaps: Regular assessments highlight areas needing improvement.
  • Enhances retention: Employees feel valued and supported, reducing turnover.
  • Supports business expansion: Proficient English speakers are better equipped for international roles.

Strengthen your business’s workforce planning with ÃÛÌÒapp Language Solutions for Work. Tools such asÌýVersant by ÃÛÌÒapp offer flexible, fast and accurate language testing and certification at scale. Additionally, develop employees’ workplace-relevant language skills with Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp.

Incorporating English language testing into your strategic workforce planning ensures that you’re building a resilient, adaptable, and highly skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Are you ready to elevate your workforce planning? Learn more about how ÃÛÌÒapp Language Solutions for Work can help you identify skills gaps and develop your team’s English proficiency for sustained success.

Read our blog post 'Boost the quality of your hires with English proficiency testing'.

Download the PDF version here

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • A group of students celebrating results

    Understanding your PTE test scores and university entry requirements

    By
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    So you've just received your PTE score and are looking at what to make of them and what universities you can apply to. Don't stress, we've got you covered.

    Whether you're an international student or already a professional looking to upskill, PTE is a crucial milestone on your academic and career journey.

    Understanding your PTE scores is vital for self-assessment and university admission requirements globally. Read on to find out how PTE academic scores impact university admissions when you're a test taker looking at studying abroad.

  • A teacher sat at a table with a laptop and whiteboard behind her

    Championing language learning and teaching – introducing Learners' Voice

    By Adita Putrianti
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    In today's world, where global communication is not just a luxury but a necessity, having a strong grasp of language learning is essential for expanding horizons. As an educator, being part of a supportive community can enhance your teaching experience and improve results. That's where Learners' Voice comes in – not only as a platform but also as a lively community where learners and educators come together to innovate and excel in the field of language mastery.

    Understanding the complexities of language acquisition and changes in teaching methodologies is crucial for success in the education industry. Joining Learners' Voice can be a significant step forward. This post will guide you through this program, how to join, and how becoming part of the Learners' Voice community can enrich your language learning and teaching experience.

    What is Learners' Voice?

    Learners' Voice is more than just an online community – it's a movement to foster collective knowledge sharing and growth in language learning and teaching. Imagine a digital space that brings together language enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds – students, teachers, language professionals and academics – all united by their passion for mastering and imparting linguistic skills. Participation in Learners' Voice isn't just about passive engagement; it's an active alliance towards the progressive development of language educational practices.

    Participants – who can join?

    We're seeking passionate individuals who are ready to contribute to and learn from a global community dedicated to language learning. Participants include:

    • Language learners: From novices to seasoned language polyglots, anyone striving to enhance their language competencies can find a supportive environment.
    • Educators: Teachers of languages at various levels, ranging from primary to tertiary education, as well as private language institutions, are encouraged to participate.
    • Parents: Those keen on supporting their children's language education and understanding the latest pedagogical trends.
    • Corporate employees: Individuals using languages in a professional setting who would like to expand their communication skills and contribute to language education research.
    • Language test takers: Participants at various stages of language proficiency evaluations, including preparation, test takers and educators, involved in the testing ecosystem.

    What Learners' Voice members do

    Members are invited to engage in diverse activities:

    1. Research collaboration: Work in unison with experts and peers on language research projects.
    2. Discussion forums and webinars: Foster engaging conversations and enhance your understanding of language learning trends.

    Joining Learners' VoiceÌýisn't limited to the virtual realm; it's a tangible commitment to advancing your language learning or teaching abilities. Here's how the program can become an integral part of your linguistic journey.

    The Learners' Voice experience – what's in it for you?

    A community that listens

    Join Learners' Voice and ensure your thoughts on language learning and teaching aren't just registered but given the platform they deserve. It's a community that values each unique perspective as a brick in the foundation of innovative language education.

    Professional and personal enrichment

    Participating in Learners' Voice exposes you to a range of resources and interactions that can significantly enrich your language learning and teaching experience. From sharing best practices to receiving and providing support, the community is a huge pool of opportunities for growth.

    Ongoing support, monthly draws and Incentives

    Beyond the exchange of knowledge, Learners' Voice offers tangible rewards for your active involvement. From monthly draws to recognition for contributions, the program ensures that your efforts are appreciated and your aspirations to excel in language learning and teaching are duly recognized.

    How to take that first step and join Learners' Voice

    Joining Learners' Voice is simple and rewarding, with just a few clicks standing between you and a robust platform for growth in language education.

    Start by accessing the community

    Visit our portal or scan the QR codes provided to access the 'Join Learners' Voice' link. The process is quick and you'll be welcomed into a world of like-minded peers passionate about languages. Learners can Ìýand Educators .Ìý

    Spread the word

    Once you're part of the community, share your experiences and encourage your colleagues, friends and social networks to join. The more voices we have, the richer the dialogue and the stronger our collective learning experience.

    Stay engaged

    Active participation is key to making the most of your Learners' Voice membership. Whether you contribute to ongoing research or share your insights on forums, every interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow.

    Your voice matters

    In conclusion, Learners' Voice is an innovative platform that puts the power of learning and teaching back into the hands of the community. For those dedicated to the mastery of languages, this isn't just a community – it's an indispensable tool that can enhance your skill set, broaden your educational horizons, and even offer the chance to shape the future of language education.

    Join us and be part of a rich, dynamic community that values your voice and awards your commitment to language education.Ìý

  • Students in uniform sat at tables in a classroom with a teacher at the front talking to them all.

    Bridging the gap: How to equip English learners with workplace-ready language skills

    By Samantha Ball
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Educators worldwide are faced with a vital challenge: closing the language education gap between traditional schooling and the practical language requirements of the modern workplace. With English established as the language of international business and in light of our ground-breaking new research, the need for education to address this disparity has never been more critical.

    In this blog post, we'll explore why teaching English through a lens of real-world application is necessary, what our research shows about the current gap in language education, and some ideas for how English teachers can integrate employability-focused lessons into their own English teaching curriculum.