Pre-Hire Learning Technologies: Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce Today

How career gaming is building sustainable talent pipelines

 

Within the dynamic terrain of human resources, particularly in skill-based industries, the focus frequently revolves around pioneering approaches to upskilling and training current employees.

However, amidst these discussions, one critical aspect is often under-prioritized due to immediate hiring needs: integration of learning technologies in the pre-hire phase. As human resource executives steer their organizations towards a future-ready workforce, it's imperative to recognize the transformative potential of leveraging learning technologies early in the talent acquisition process, before they graduate high school.

Traditionally, the hiring process involves assessing candidates based on their past experiences, qualifications, and potential fit within the organization. While these aspects remain crucial, the paradigm needs to shift towards a proactive approach where youth is equipped with essential skills and insights well before stepping into the role. This proactive stance not only enhances the candidate's readiness but also offers significant benefits to employers in terms of reduced training costs and mitigated risks of mis-hires.

Enter the realm of career video games with AI-driven personalized learning journeys. These emerging technologies are reshaping the way youth explore career paths and interact with potential employers even before being hired. By immersing themselves in fun, simulated job scenarios, players can try on different jobs, and learn about salaries and relevant pathways, before they choose another path. Just as importantly, they can gain valuable insights into roles, responsibilities, and job requirements for skilled-based jobs that are under-prioritized in school.

97% of Gen Z have access to a smartphone. 96% game.

Imagine a scenario where a high school student is interested in life science and can engage in a virtual simulation of a day in the life of a lab tech. Through gamified challenges and interactive tasks, they not only develop a better understanding of the technical skills involved, but also an understanding of gowning and cleanroom protocol before they walk through an employer’s door, thus mitigating the risk and costs associated with misaligned expectations. Similarly, a player may assume they need to be a scientist to pursue a career in life sciences, when, in fact, there are thousands of jobs available that don’t require a four-year degree. Jobs they've just tried on and loved.

What sets this pre-hire strategy apart is its allowance for self discovery and ability to personalize the career navigation experience based on their preferences, strengths, and location. Leveraging AI algorithms, career games can also analyze user behavior, assess skill proficiency, and recommend tailored content to promote advancement in their journey and even companies who are looking for candidates just like them. Furthermore, by incorporating virtual mentors and digital coaching, players can receive personalized, unbiased guidance and feedback throughout their gameplay, regardless of what they look like or where they live.

In the US, for example, 65 million youth are entering the workforce. Half, primarily minorities, will end up in low-wage jobs

The implications of investing in future learning technologies during the pre-hire phase are profound for both employers and candidates alike. For employers, it offers a unique opportunity to identify and attract a wider net of entry-level talent who not only possess the requisite skills but also demonstrate a vetted interest and job awareness. By incorporating pre-hire assessments based on gamified career games and AI-driven learning platforms, organizations can reduce the cost of hiring and streamlining their recruitment processes, and make more informed hiring decisions.

Moreover, by nurturing a bigger pool of vetted candidates, companies can significantly reduce the time and resources spent on post-hire training and onboarding. Instead of starting from scratch, new hires can hit the ground running with a more solid foundation of knowledge acquired through pre-hire learning experiences. This not only accelerates their integration into the workforce but also enhances their job satisfaction and retention rates, leading to greater organizational productivity and efficiency.

From the player's perspective, engaging with career gaming opens up a world of opportunities to explore diverse career paths, gain practical insights, and make informed decisions about their future. By actively participating in gamified simulations and personalized career gameplay, players can showcase their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and work ethic – qualities that are highly valued by employers in today's competitive job market.

In my opinion, the future of learning technologies lies not only in upskilling existing employees, but also in shaping tomorrow's workforce today through proactive pre-hire interventions. By leveraging gamified career games, AI-driven personalized learning journeys, and virtual mentoring, companies can identify, attract, and develop skilled talent while mitigating the risks associated with traditional hiring practices. The time to invest in future learning technologies with future talent is now – for it is not merely an investment in your future pipeline, but an investment in many of theirs, who often go overlooked in traditional career guidance settings.