4. Assessing and Selecting Internationally Trained Workers
4.3 Assessment and verification of competencies
Focus on performance and find workers who can really do the job.
Competency refers to the scope of skills, knowledge and abilities needed to perform specific tasks and duties. You can benefit by using competency-based testing to assess all candidates for a job.
Tips on measuring competencies
- Determine if the skills a candidate demonstrates match the skills required for the position being filled by using a Hiring Checklist.
- Prepare to conduct interview sessions with job candidates with the Essential Skills Interview Assistant.
- Make use of existing occupational standards, which have been developed by sector councils and professional associations for many industries. You can assess the competencies of ITWs against these standards for specific occupations.
- Use the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) to assess entry-level skills. TOWES uses workplace documents to accurately measure the essential skills needed for safe and productive employment. Sector-specific TOWES assessments are also available. A national network of colleges across Canada conducts TOWES assessments.
- Develop practical tests when possible. Properly designed practical tests allow you to see the candidate “in action” and assess his or her actual abilities.
- Overcome barriers in competencies and work experience. When advertising a job, explicitly say that you recognize and value experience gained outside of Canada.
- Help candidates meet their licensing requirements. If a job is regulated and workers must have Canadian work experience to be licensed, consider recruiting candidates at a lower level until their licensure requirements are met.