Share

cover art for Building a Skills-Based Organisation: Lessons from a 30-Year Journey (an Interview with Sandra Loughlin)

Digital HR Leaders with David Green

Building a Skills-Based Organisation: Lessons from a 30-Year Journey (an Interview with Sandra Loughlin)

Season 43, Ep. 211

What can we learn from an organisation that has been a skills-based pioneer for over 30 years? 


At EPAM Systems, building a future-ready, skills-based workforce has been a foundational strategy, positioning the company as one of the most mature examples in the field. In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Sandra Loughlin, Chief Learning Scientist at EPAM Systems, to discuss the lessons EPAM has learned over its decades-long journey and how organisations can apply these insights to their own skills transformations. Together, they dive into: 

 

  • The structure and strategy behind EPAM’s skills-based evolution, shaped by 30 years of experience in skills management 
  • Common myths around skills-based organisations 
  • The importance of defining the work itself before pinpointing necessary skills 
  • Practical guidance on selecting the right technology to support skills-based practices 
  • Approaches to validating skills data, moving beyond self or manager assessments to more reliable data sources 
  • Insights on tailoring a skills strategy to different industries and functions, and determining when high-quality skills data is a must 

 

This episode, sponsored by TechWolf, is essential for HR leaders seeking to drive business impact through robust skills data and build a truly future-ready workforce. 

 

TechWolf is an AI-powered solution focused on one mission: delivering reliable skills data for every role and every employee in your organisation. 

 

With TechWolf, companies like HSBC, GSK, IQVIA, Workday, and United Airlines have accelerated time-to-hire by 32%, boosted internal mobility by 42%, and saved around $1,000 per employee annually on talent management. Visit techwolf.com for more information.  


Links to Resources: 

 

 

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 210. How Digital Transformation Fuels Skills and Ex at Lloyds Banking Group (an Interview with Lara Wainwright & Duncan Reynall)

    42:27||Season 42, Ep. 210
    As digital transformation redefines industries, organisations are faced with the challenge of building a workforce equipped for rapid change. At Lloyds Banking Group, this shift is driving a bold move towards a skills-based organisation, where agility, adaptability, and continuous learning are core to its evolution.  In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by two leaders at the heart of this transformation: Lara Wainwright, Product Owner and Lab Lead, and Duncan Reynall, Group Talent & Development Director at Lloyds Banking Group. Together, they dive into:  The broader strategy behind Lloyds’ workforce transformation agenda How both Lara and Duncan’s roles interconnect to drive the digital transformation that enables Lloyds Banking Group’s skills-based organisation goals Challenges and successes encountered along the journey, offering practical advice for organisations navigating similar digital transformations The role of workforce data in driving progress, fostering culture, and enhancing employee engagement across Lloyds Metrics that Lloyds Banking Group uses to measure success in skills development, ensuring alignment with long-term transformation goals  This episode, sponsored by Workday, is essential for HR leaders aiming to leverage data and analytics to drive workforce agility and transformation.  Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for HR and finance, recognised as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites. Organisations ranging from medium-sized businesses to more than 50% of the Fortune 500— including Netflix, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, and Rolls Royce—have chosen Workday to build their HR systems and implement Workforce Analytics solutions. Join them and learn more at workday.com  Links to Resources:  Lara Wainwright: Lara Wainwright Duncan Reynall: Duncan Reynall  Workday: Workday  MyHRFuture Academy: MyHRFuture Insight222: Insight222  
  • 209. The Four Reskilling Principles Every HR Leader Should Know (an Interview with Anish Lalchandani)

    33:40||Season 42, Ep. 209
    With multiple reports predicting the disappearance of millions of jobs in the coming years, an urgent need for a reskilling revolution has sparked organisations and governments across the globe.   In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green dives into this pressing topic with Anish Lalchandani, Global Head of Talent Management at Maersk and author of The Skills Advantage: A Human-Centered, Sustainable, and Scalable Approach to Reskilling. Packed with insights, this episode covers:  The “four cornerstones” of reskilling: awareness, application, agility, and alliances, and how they drive sustainable workforce transformation The pivotal role of AI in accelerating reskilling efforts and the importance of balancing technological advancement with human-centered skills Strategies for building partnerships within and beyond the organisation to foster a supportive reskilling ecosystem Key metrics that HR leaders should use to measure the success of their reskilling initiatives and demonstrate value to the business  This episode, sponsored by Workday, is essential for HR leaders looking to transform their people strategies through AI-driven talent orchestration and offers practical takeaways on how to leverage these tools for organisational success.  Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for HR and finance, recognised as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites. Organisations ranging from medium-sized businesses to more than 50% of the Fortune 500— including Netflix, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, and Rolls Royce—have chosen Workday to build their HR systems and implement Workforce Analytics solutions. Join them and learn more at workday.com  Links to Resources:  Anish Lalchandani on LinkedIn: Anish Lalchandani The Skills Advantage: A Human-Centered, Sustainable, and Scalable Approach to Reskilling Workday: Workday  MyHRFuture Academy: MyHRFuture Insight222: Insight222  
  • 208. How Talent Orchestration Connects AI Investments to Real Business Results (an Interview with Jason Scheckner)

    43:52||Season 42, Ep. 208
    As AI reshapes the HR landscape, many organisations are still grappling with how to turn big investments into real business outcomes. Could talent orchestration be the gap between investment and actionable outcomes?   In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David Green is joined by Jason Scheckner, Senior Director of Business Strategy for HiredScore at Workday, to reveal how talent orchestration is the key to unlocking AI’s full potential and transforming HR operations into a strategic powerhouse.  Packed with actionable insights, this episode delves into: What talent orchestration is and how it builds on the foundation of talent intelligence How it connects various HR systems and data to improve processes beyond traditional methods like data lakes and systems of record Why so many organisations are struggling to make real strides with AI, despite it being a top priority for executives Practical examples of how talent orchestration is enhancing internal mobility and employee retention Key strategies for ensuring AI used in HR remains ethical and safe Metrics and outcomes to gauge the success of talent orchestration efforts  This episode, sponsored by Workday, is essential for HR leaders looking to transform their people strategies through AI-driven talent orchestration and offers practical takeaways on how to leverage these tools for organisational success.  Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for HR and finance, recognised as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites. Organisations ranging from medium-sized businesses to more than 50% of the Fortune 500— including Netflix, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, and Rolls Royce—have chosen Workday to build their HR systems and implement Workforce Analytics solutions. Join them and learn more at workday.com  Links to Resources:  Jason Scheckner on LinkedIn: Jason SchecknerHiredScore: HiredScore Workday: Workday  MyHRFuture Academy: MyHRFuture Insight222: Insight222  
  • 207. What the Impact of Distributed Work on Organisational Networks Tells Us About the Future of Talent Management (an Interview with Michael Arena)

    37:09||Season 42, Ep. 207
    How is the shift to hybrid and distributed work reshaping the very fabric of your organisation’s networks? And how you can leverage these changes to build more effective teams and drive business success?  In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David Green is joined by Michael Arena, a pioneer in Organisational Network Analysis (ONA), to explore how networks have evolved since the height of the pandemic.  Listen in as they explore:  How organisational networks have evolved in a distributed work environment Key findings from Michael’s research on optimal team size How HR leaders can implement network analysis insights to drive strategic action The role of AI in facilitating ONA and the future of network research  This episode, sponsored by Workday, is essential listening for HR leaders looking to optimise team dynamics and embrace the power of organisational networks to thrive in today’s world of work.  Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for HR and finance, recognised as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites. Organisations ranging from medium-sized businesses to more than 50% of the Fortune 500— including Netflix, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, and Rolls Royce—have chosen Workday to build their HR systems and implement Workforce Analytics solutions. Join them and learn more at workday.com  Links to Resources:  Michael Arena on LinkedIn: Michael Arena Workday: Workday  MyHRFuture Academy: MyHRFuture Insight222: Insight222  
  • 206. How Mastercard is Using AI to Drive Employee Success and Leadership Growth (an Interview with Michael Fraccaro)

    33:34||Season 42, Ep. 206
    Transforming a global company like Mastercard into an AI-powered, future-focused, skills-driven organisation takes more than just bold ideas—it takes visionary leadership and a deep connection between the people and business strategy.  In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David Green sits down with Michael Fraccaro, Chief People Officer at Mastercard, to gain insight into how he and his team are shaking things up in HR.  A conversation packed with inspirational actions, you’ll learn about: How Mastercard are using AI to rethink leadership Why they’ve gone all-in on becoming a skills-based organisation How their internal talent marketplace, Unlocked, is helping employees grow and thrive Insights on navigating the rise of the gig economy  How to connect and retain younger generations  This episode, sponsored by Workday, is packed with practical takeaways for HR leaders who want to lead their own organisations into the future.  Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for HR and finance, recognised as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites. Organisations ranging from medium-sized businesses to more than 50% of the Fortune 500— including Netflix, Sanofi, AstraZeneca and Rolls Royce—have chosen Workday to build their HR systems and implement Workforce Analytics solutions. Join them and learn more at workday.com  Links to Resources:  Michael Fraccaro on LinkedIn: Michael Fraccaro Workday: Workday  MyHRFuture Academy: MyHRFuture Insight222: Insight222 
  • 205. Digitising HR for 55,000 Employees: Lessons from Standard Bank (an Interview with Sharon Taylor & Jaco Van Vuuren)

    45:31||Season 41, Ep. 205
    What does it take to lead one of Africa's largest banks through a transformative HR journey, affecting 55,000 employees across 28 countries?   In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, Sharon Taylor, Chief People and Culture Officer, and Jaco van Vuuren, Chief Operating Officer for Human Capital at Standard Bank Group, reveal the behind-the-scenes journey that’s reshaping how Africa’s largest bank manages its people and drives business success.  Hosted by David Green, this episode dives into how Standard Bank has leveraged digitisation, AI, and people analytics to enhance employee experience, streamline operations, and empower leadership with real-time data insights.   Key topics covered include: The evolution of HR from support function to strategic business partner The challenges and rewards of digitising HR for a global workforce How centralised data and workforce analytics are driving pay equity, enhancing ESG reporting, and improving decision-making The importance of ethical AI use in shaping the future of HR  This episode is packed with insights for HR leaders navigating digital transformation.  We would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Visier for sponsoring this series of the Digital HR Leaders podcast.   Visier is the people analytics platform for successful HR teams, bridging the gap between HR productivity and business performance, giving managers the insights they need to lead effectively. Learn more at visier.com.  Links to Resources:  Sharon Taylor  Jaco Van Vuuren  Visier  MyHRFuture Insight222 
  • 204. How to Build the Skills-Powered Organisation (an Interview with Tanuj Kapilashrami & Ravin Jesuthasan)

    41:44||Season 41, Ep. 204
    Organisations are finding that the traditional job-based structures are no longer enough to drive innovation and growth. As they face new challenges and opportunities, businesses are beginning to understand that shifting to a skills-based approach is crucial for future success.  To explore how moving to a skills-based organisation can open up new possibilities for organisations, in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green sits down with Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy & Talent Officer at Standard Chartered, and Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Leader of Mercer’s Transformation Services Business.   Together, they discuss: Why traditional job structures are falling short in today’s world The tangible business and socio-economic benefits of adopting a skills-based approach The leadership shifts and capabilities needed to guide this transformation The critical role of data infrastructure in supporting a skills-powered organisation Key insights for HR and people analytics leaders on navigating this change  With the upcoming release of their book, The Skills-Powered Organisation: The Journey to the Next-Generation Enterprise, this conversation is packed with timely advice for HR leaders ready to future-proof their organisations.  We would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Visier for sponsoring this series of the Digital HR Leaders podcast.   Visier is the people analytics platform for successful HR teams, bridging the gap between HR productivity and business performance, giving managers the insights they need to lead effectively. Learn more at visier.com.  Links to Resources:  Ravin Jesuthasan  Tanuj Kapilashrami The Skills-Powered Organisation: The Journey to the Next-Generation Enterprise Visier  MyHRFuture Insight222  
  • 203. HR’s Strategic Role in Managing the AI-Driven Talent Restructure (an Interview with Keith Bigelow)

    38:53||Season 41, Ep. 203
    With AI transforming how we work, HR needs to be prepared for a complete talent shift. But is the function ready for this new reality?  In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green sits down with Keith Bigelow, Chief Product Officer at Visier, to explore the critical role HR plays in leading digital transformation—and how AI is changing the game.   Together, David and Keith discuss: How HR can lead the charge in digital and AI transformation The impact Generative AI is having on talent management and workforce planning The metrics HR should focus on to demonstrate real business impact Why partnering with Finance is critical to measuring HR success  If you're an HR leader looking to navigate the world of AI and digital transformation, this episode offers plenty of practical advice and fresh insights.  We would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Visier for sponsoring this series of the Digital HR Leaders podcast.   Visier is the people analytics platform for successful HR teams, bridging the gap between HR productivity and business performance, giving managers the insights they need to lead effectively. Learn more at visier.com.  Links to Resources:  Keith Bigelow on LinkedIn: Keith Bigelow Visier: Visier  MyHRFuture Academy: MyHRFuture Insight222: Insight222