Workforce Planning: Bridging a 1.5M Talent Gap

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WORKFORCE PLANNING: FROM REACTIVE TO STRATEGIC

The workforce planning landscape has transformed dramatically. Once focused on simply filling vacancies, today's organizations face a critical imperative: bridging a staggering 1.5-million-person talent gap in the U.S. alone (compared to pre-pandemic levels).

This week, we break down:

• Why 64% of HR leaders now prioritize strategic workforce planning

• How companies with strong planning outperform peers by 2.5x

• Johnson & Johnson's revolutionary AI-powered skills program

• Plus: Your actionable guide to strategic workforce planning 🎁

🗞️ In case you missed it:  5% of a Fortune 500 company’s workforce is being CUT, almost half of companies are planning to downsize according to the World Economic Forum, Microsoft’s plan to upskill, and more.

SPREAD FOR YOU
📢  WORKFORCE PLANNING: MORE THAN JUST FILLING SEATS

Learn how organizations are transforming their approach to talent strategy and workforce planning to stay competitive.

As organizations face rapid technological shifts, demographic changes, and economic fluctuations, traditional workforce planning no longer cuts it. Today's strategic workforce planning (SWP) is about aligning talent with business objectives—and the results speak for themselves.

The numbers tell a compelling story:

• Companies with strong workforce planning are 2.5x more likely to outperform industry peers

• 64% of HR leaders now consider workforce planning a top priority, but only 15% of companies actually engage in strategic workforce planning

• 70% of companies report disruptions due to workforce shortages

• Nearly two-thirds (64%) struggle to find candidates with necessary skills

This shift from reactive to strategic planning isn't just a trend—it's a business imperative. Yet many organizations still rely on outdated & siloed tools, hindering their ability to make informed decisions about their future workforce needs.

So what does effective strategic workforce planning look like in practice? Let's examine how industry leader Johnson & Johnson is revolutionizing their approach...

SUCCESS STORIES
J&J’s AI-POWERED WORKFORCE REVOLUTION

How Johnson & Johnson transformed workforce planning using artificial intelligence.

When Johnson & Johnson (J&J) faced the challenge of understanding their workforce's future skill needs, they didn't just adapt—they innovated. Their groundbreaking "skills inference" program launched in 2020 shows us what next-generation workforce planning looks like in action.

The Program That Changed Everything

Starting with 4,000 technologists, J&J built a three-pillar approach that's now becoming a model for the industry:

1. Skills Taxonomy: They identified 41 "future-ready" skills grouped into 11 capabilities—focusing not just on today's needs but on what will matter 5-10 years from now.

2. Skills Evidence: Using HR systems and learning management data, they created a comprehensive skills database. Key to success? Leadership promised these insights wouldn't impact performance reviews—building trust from day one.

3. Skills Assessment: An innovative dual-rating system combines AI-generated scores with employee self-assessments, rating proficiency from 0-5.

The Impact? Employee engagement with J&J's learning platform jumped 20% after the first round. But the real story isn't just about finding skill gaps—it's about what happened next...

HR HURDLES
BEYOND THE GAP: BUILDING YOUR SKILLS INFRASTRUCTURE

How to transform skills insights into actionable workforce development.

Identifying skills gaps is just the first step in the workforce planning journey. As J&J discovered, the real challenge lies in building an infrastructure that can effectively address these gaps and support continuous development.

🎯 The AI Foundation 

J&J's approach starts with artificial intelligence analyzing employee data to quantify skills proficiency. This provides unprecedented visibility into both individual and organizational gaps. But having this data alone isn't enough—it's how organizations use it that makes the difference.

🔄 Reimagining the Talent Marketplace 

The introduction of J&J Learn transformed how employees engage with development opportunities. This AI-driven platform serves as more than just a learning portal; it's a comprehensive career development hub where employees can:

• Assess their current skills and aspirations

• Access personalized learning pathways

• Connect with targeted mentorship opportunities

• Track their progress in real-time

The key to the marketplace's success? Its ability to adapt and grow with each employee's journey.

📚 Modernizing the Foundation 

One of J&J's most crucial insights was recognizing that their job architecture needed a complete refresh. By engaging with employees and managers while licensing an external skills library, they created a framework that ensures:

• Clear skill definitions for every role

• Consistent standards across the organization

• Better alignment between skills and business goals

💡 The Power of Personalization 

With a clearer understanding of both employee skills and organizational needs, J&J revolutionized their learning approach. They now offer 126 different learning groups, each tailored to specific functions and needs. This isn't just about providing training—it's about creating personalized development journeys that align with both individual career aspirations and organizational objectives.

The result? A dramatic increase in engagement and more meaningful conversations between managers and employees about career development. This case study shows that upskilling can only be successful when awareness is combined with actionable strategies and adequate support systems.

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🗞️ IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Strategic workforce planning is all about anticipating the future needs of the business. Below are some of the latest stories that can help you future-proof your workforce.

Microsoft’s Plan to Upskill for an AI-Powered Future

A recently announced partnership between Microsoft and Pearson will help upskill current and future workforces to thrive in the age of AI with new AI certifications and credentials. Read more →

Meta Cutting 5% of Workforce

Ouch. Talk about rubbing salt in the wound. Tech workers have been hit hard in recent years after ‘software engineer mania.’ Meta is preparing to make performance-based cuts, resulting in the loss of over 3,500 jobs in preparation for the “intense” year ahead according to Zuck . Read more →

Employers Falling Short of Addressing Skills Shortage

Less than a quarter of the global workforce feels confident they have the necessary skills to advance to the next job level – and employers aren’t doing enough to bridge the gap, despite the clear benefits of upskilling. Read more →

Workforces Set to Shrink By 2030 Due to AI

AI startup Founder’s egos have only been rising in line with record valuations. Workforces on the other hand, are set to shrink drastically. According to the World Economic Forum, 41% of companies are planning on downsizing due to automation. Read more →

Workforce planning is essential, but it doesn’t have to be complex. Make it simple and successful with our Predictive Workplace Planning Toolkit below.

YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE: PREDICTIVE WORKPLACE PLANNING KIT

Strategic planning requires a forward-facing strategy and holistic predictions about what your workforce and your business will need.

This Predictive Workforce Planning Toolkit will help you identify and track essential strategic planning elements like: 

• Talent Shortage Forecasting

• Turnover Risk Assessment

• Optimize Workforce Use 

• Strategic Decision-Making.

Download your free toolkit now to make more informed, strategic decisions.

📥 Download Now

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