Skillsoft Launches Interactive Skill Benchmarks, Unlocking a New Way to Evaluate Skill Growth

Skillsoft (NYSE: SKIL), a leading platform for transformative learning experiences, today unveiled Interactive Skill Benchmarks (ISBs). A first-of-its-kind capability and the newest addition to Skillsoft's Skill Benchmarks suite, ISBs provide a hands-on, dynamic approach to skill assessments built around demonstrable learning outcomes and on-the-job application.

IDC predicts that by 2026, 90% of organizations will face skills gaps, costing more than $5.5 trillion worldwide in delayed product releases, reduced customer satisfaction, and lost revenue.¹ Recent Skillsoft research also shows that one in five decision makers directly attribute skills gaps to an inability to effectively assess their workforce's skills. Skillsoft’s ISBs test learners’ ability to take skills from theory to application via hands-on assessments in virtual environments. This interactive approach not only accelerates subject mastery, but also enables organizations to better assess how in-house skills align with business needs to optimize talent management strategies.

The first set of ISBs spans crucial technology subjects in artificial intelligence and machine learning, programming, and data science, with future expansions planned around leadership, business, and risk management. Key features include:

• Interactive virtual environments that enable learners to apply skills in simulated practice scenarios – such as writing and executing code – that mirror real-world projects.
• Outcome-oriented assessments which emphasize broader learning results to ensure learners grasp core concepts and understand how skills are utilized in their roles.
• Personalized results and feedback with proficiency scores and AI-generated content recommendations based on a learner’s assessment performance for guided upskilling.
• Dashboards that provide a comprehensive view of an organization’s skills, helping leaders identify areas of strength or needed improvement and track skill growth.

“Interactive Skill Benchmarks are a pivotal moment in skill evaluation and development. Our approach enables learners to not just demonstrate their ability to recall learning, but apply it to solve real business problems,” said Debasis Dutta, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Solutions, Skillsoft. “With ISBs, organizations and learners gain a firmer understanding of where they currently are in their skilling journey, where they need to go, and what training is needed to get there.”