The June 18th UWEBC People event brought together members to explore one of the most significant shifts occurring in talent management today: the move from degree-based to skills-based hiring, development, and advancement. Through perspectives from leaders at KI, Zendesk, and FTI, attendees examined how organizations are redefining talent strategies to build more agile workforces and unlock opportunities for employees at every stage of their careers.
The conversation focused on the growing recognition that skills are becoming a primary driver of organizational success. As technology, business needs, and workforce expectations continue to evolve, many organizations are finding that traditional job descriptions and educational requirements no longer provide a complete picture of an individual’s potential or an organization’s capabilities.
Christine Gunderson, Organizational Development Manager at KI, discussed how skills-based approaches can strengthen internal talent development and mobility by helping organizations identify employees’ existing capabilities and create meaningful growth opportunities. She emphasized that successful skills-based strategies begin with understanding future workforce needs, assessing current skills, and aligning talent development efforts with broader business priorities.
Antonia Turnquist, Director of Talent Strategy and Acceleration and Global Head of Talent at Zendesk, explored the challenges of scaling skills-based strategies across large organizations. Drawing from her experience leading global talent initiatives, she emphasized the importance of using data to understand workforce needs and adapt to changing business priorities. Turnquist noted that successful organizations move beyond pilot programs by embedding skills into hiring, workforce planning, leadership development, and other talent processes, making skills a core part of talent decision-making.
Jami Garrity, Director of Talent Acquisition at FTI, shared a practical recruiting perspective on the shift toward skills-based hiring. Drawing from more than a decade of experience building FTI’s recruiting function, Garrity highlighted how focusing on demonstrated skills can expand talent pools and help organizations identify qualified candidates who may have been overlooked through traditional hiring methods. She emphasized that successful implementation requires collaboration across recruiters, hiring managers, and business leaders to ensure hiring processes accurately assess skills while staying aligned with organizational goals and workforce needs.
Throughout the discussion, attendees explored the three stages of a skills-based talent transformation journey: planning and piloting initial efforts, expanding initiatives across functions and business units, and ultimately creating a culture in which skills are embedded in talent decisions across the enterprise. While each organization’s path may look different, the speakers agreed that adaptability, continuous learning, and strong leadership commitment are critical to long-term success.