Are there any online systems out there that assess the current competence level of learners at a particular task or process, and arrives at suggestions of what courses the user should take to improve their skills to meet a certain (pre) defined standard. This relates to all types of assessment, i.e. from beginner to advanced Excel to beginner to advanced Sales Skills, Compensation & Benefits Manager skills etc
Note: It is not necessary for the assessment tool to be linked to a training course content provider.
Additionally, are skill assessment tools such as the above normally accredited by government agencies?
Thank you in advance.
Ian Middendorp
3 Responses
Growing Market Area
This is an area I’ve been following for a few years now for customers.
In particular, over the last couple of years, there has been a large increase in the number of online skills and competency assessment/mapping tools on the market.
Most of the major LMSs now include the features you require and there are also a growing number of dedicated tools focusing purely on the skills assessment area.
These will all need populating by you and you will need to therefore design the assessments yourself and create the links to recommended training courses.
In the US, a company called Brainbench are well known for developing a large range of online skills assessments. These aren’t mapped to specific courses but provide a good starting point for assessing skill levels across a broad range of subjects.
A trawl of the web may also reveal smaller niche providers who offer online assessments in specific topic areas. For instance, in the UK, I have encountered MyKnowledgeMap, who have worked with bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing to provide in-company skills assessment tools in the sales and marketing area.
IT assessment
There is a company that deals with this very area. A simple test is undertaken lasting several minutes and can be set for any level of microsoft and other leading application. You pay a licence for so many tests. I can’t think of the name off hand but email me at john@soderberg.co.uk and I will send you details when I get back to my office.
Good luck!
Silverlining
Try a company Silverlining.
Fiona Hudson kelly
‘Fiona@silverlining.uk.net’
I would highly recommend the system they have developed which would do all the things you mention plus more.