Competencies Over Degrees - Transitioning to a Skills-Based Economy - SHRM response

Aug 29, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve

Drafted in response to Representative Frederica Wilson’s questions during a House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing, this text explains how SHRM and its Foundation address the gap in soft-skills and behavioral competencies. It outlines power-skills development through flexible, short, frequent training methods, and describes HR certification structures that measure behavioral competencies via situational judgment items. It also details initiatives such as PMQ, skilled-credential education, whole-human hiring pathways, and partnerships with colleges to align curricula, support registered apprenticeships, and strengthen employer assessment tools. The closing sections discuss policy collaboration between formal curriculum tracks and competency-based education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Competencies Over Degrees: Transitioning to a Skills-Based Economy

Soft-skills and power-skills acquisition

SHRM programs and credentialing initiatives

Collaboration with higher education institutions

Fostering alignment between curriculum tracks and competencies

The following content was drafted in response to Representative Frederica Wilson’s questions during the House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s full committee hearing titled“Competencies Over Degrees: Transitioning to a Skills-Based Economy.” Rep. Wilson asked about what steps the panelists’ organizations have taken to address the gap in soft-skills acquisition. SHRM believes that soft skills are vital “power skills” in the workplace and are valuable contributors to company success. These power skills are best attained through flexible, shorter, more frequent skills development training rather than a singular webinar or panel discussion. In attempting to close the gap in power-skills acquisition through skills training, SHRM recognizes the value of having several training methods available to employers so that such training is as flexible as possible. These training methods can include but are not limited to, online learning, coaching and mentoring, and interactive workshops. For further information on SHRM's position on power skills, we encourage you to read this SHRM publication that offers extensive insight into identifying what skills are needed in a workplace, the teachability of skills, and the importance of flexible training methods. In addition, SHRM has conducted several large-scale practice analyses of the HR profession. Results have shown that behavioral competencies (including such power skills as leadership, relationship management, and communication) are essential for HR professionals. Accordingly, our certification exams (SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP) include items to measure these behavioral competencies, mainly using situational judgment items. In the fall of 2020, SHRM unveiled the People Manage Qualification (PMQ), designed to help people develop the skills needed to successfully and effectively manage teams. PMQ is teaching people managers how to empower teams, transform the workplace, and cultivate high-performing staff. Approximately 87% of managers who use PMQ say they're ready to lead confidently. Furthermore, the SHRM Foundation – the 501(c)(3) arm of SHRM – has prioritized educating employers about using skilled credentials in talent acquisition. The Foundation is widening pathways to work by providing resources and training to employers so that they can effectively assess workers' competencies, gifts, and skills and their ability to thrive on the job. This presents a holistic “whole human” approach to hiring, retention, and growth. SHRM Foundation has published a white paper on the rise of skilled credentials, a toolkit to help employers and HR professionals adopt skills-based hiring principles and has also established an apprenticeship program. These tools are helping organizations provide customized training and to tap into more diverse job candidate pools. All of SHRM's courses are developed to prepare HR professionals and others for certifications in HR knowledge areas and behavioral competencies. Rep Wilson also asked how would you propose collaborating with leaders in higher education, particularly at large urban, public, minority-serving institutions, so that they benefit from some of your proposed models? For 19 years, SHRM has worked as a liaison between business and the academic community to foster the development of strong professionals at the beginning of their careers. Through the SHRM Academic Alignment Program, SHRM provides HR curriculum guidance, free instructional content, and student career development opportunities (i.e., SHRM certification) to colleges and universities that align their HR programs with SHRM’s HR curriculum guidelines. Additionally, we provide support to the SHRM Foundation’s Human Resource Registered Apprenticeship Program, providing participants in underserved and or low-income communities an opportunity to work with employers to develop their skills with on-the-job training. The Academic Alignment program also identified all Historically Black Co

FAQs

How does SHRM propose closing the gap in soft-skills acquisition?

SHRM emphasizes that soft skills are vital power skills best developed through flexible, shorter, more frequent training methods rather than a single webinar or panel. It supports multiple approaches such as online learning, coaching and mentoring, and interactive workshops.

What HR certification and qualification mechanisms measure behavioral competencies?

SHRM certification exams (SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP) include items designed to measure behavioral competencies, mainly using situational judgment items. SHRM also launched the People Manage Qualification (PMQ) to help people managers empower teams and build high-performing staff.

How does SHRM collaborate with higher education to support skills-based pathways?

Through the SHRM Academic Alignment Program, SHRM provides HR curriculum guidance, free instructional content, and student career development opportunities aligned with SHRM’s guidelines. SHRM also supports the SHRM Foundation’s registered apprenticeship program and works directly with HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions to address curriculum gaps and alignment.

Aug 29, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve