The global workforce is shifting, and Canva is leading the way with its skills-based hiring approach. In a world where traditional job qualifications like degrees and titles are being reevaluated, Canva has embraced a forward-thinking model that prioritizes skills, growth, and internal mobility over conventional markers of success.

This transformative approach has fostered innovation and inclusivity and redefined how employees chart their career paths.

What is Skills-Based Hiring?

At Canva, skills passports replace traditional resumes, offering a dynamic way for employees to showcase their abilities and growth potential. While not a physical document, the skills passport concept empowers employees to:

• Understand the value of their current skills.
• Identify development opportunities.
• Pursue roles that align with their interests and competencies.

Charlotte Anderson, Head of People Experience at Canva, explains:
“The more skills you develop and build, the more you enable yourself to have amazing experiences and growth.”

By focusing on transferable skills rather than formal qualifications, Canva has created an environment where employees thrive based on their ability to deliver results, not where they studied or how many years of experience they have.

Real-world examples from Canva

1. Emily Stewart’s Journey:
   Starting as an email marketer in 2019, Emily transitioned to a platform product manager role in less than two years.
   • She leveraged on-the-job learning to develop technical skills.
   • With internal coaching and upskilling programs, Emily gained the confidence and tools to excel in her new role.
   • Her success highlights Canva’s commitment to fostering internal mobility through programs like Pathways, which has facilitated over 250 internal moves since its launch in 2022.
2. Charlotte Anderson’s Career Shift:
   Charlotte transitioned from marketing to HR at Canva, showcasing her people skills developed in previous roles. This flexibility demonstrates how Canva values diverse experiences and cross-functional skills.

Key Benefits of Skills-Based Hiring

1. Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion: By removing degree requirements, Canva widens the pool of potential candidates, ensuring opportunities are accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds. This approach aligns with their goal of creating an equitable workplace.
2. Empowering Employee Growth: Programs like Pathways and internal coaching help employees upskill, explore new roles, and take calculated risks in their careers without fear of failure.
3. Driving Organizational Success: Skills-based hiring ensures that the right talent matches the right roles, driving individual and company-wide performance.

How Other Companies Can Adopt a Skills-Based Approach

Transitioning to a skills-first hiring model may seem daunting, but Canvas’s success provides actionable insights for organizations:

1. Start with Job Descriptions:
   Redesign postings to focus on required skills rather than degrees or years of experience.
2. Create Internal Mobility Programs:
   Encourage employees to explore roles within the company through initiatives like coaching, mentoring, and skills assessments.
3. Build an Inclusive Recruitment Culture:
   Train hiring managers to identify and reduce bias, ensuring a fair evaluation process based on competencies.
4. Invest in Upskilling:
   Offer employees opportunities to develop technical, leadership, and socio-emotional skills through platforms like workshops, online courses, and gamified learning experiences.

The ROI of Skills-Based Hiring

Implementing skills-based hiring might require significant effort initially, but the long-term payoffs are substantial:

• Higher Employee Retention: Workers feel valued and are motivated to grow within the company.
• Improved Innovation: Diverse skills and experiences drive creativity and problem-solving.
• Increased Talent Pool: Removing degree barriers attracts a broader range of candidates, enhancing hiring outcomes.

As Anderson aptly notes:
“It’s not the easiest change, but it’s so worth it, and it pays off in dividends.”

The Future of Skills-First Hiring

With over 300,000 applications received in 2024 and a growing global workforce of 5,000 employees, Canva’s model sets a compelling precedent for the future of work. Businesses can unlock new levels of diversity, equity, and innovation by prioritizing skills over credentials.

Are you ready to rethink your hiring strategies and empower your workforce? Start today by focusing on what matters: the skills that drive success.

Join the conversation! How is your organization adapting to the future of work with skills-based hiring? Let us know in the comments or connect to explore actionable strategies.

For contact and support:

Facebook: NIC Global – Human Resource Solutions
Linkedin: NIC Global Sourcing JSC
Website: www.nicvn.com
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