Medicine Hat launches free Competency Match hiring tools for employers
The six-tool playbook aims to help local businesses evaluate job candidates on real-world skills rather than diplomas or years of experience.
Why it matters
The free tools give Medicine Hat area employers a new way to fill jobs amid labour shortages by widening who counts as a qualified candidate.
Medicine Hat Economic Development has launched Competency Match, a free set of interactive resources meant to help employers in the city and southeastern Alberta assess candidates based on observable skills, behaviours and abilities rather than traditional credentials.
The initiative responds to ongoing workforce shortages, where skilled newcomers and experienced workers sometimes face barriers to employment despite having relevant education and transferable skills. City of Medicine Hat director of economic development Selena McLean-Moore said the tools help employers focus on skills that matter most so strong candidates aren't overlooked.
Developed with workforce experts and local employers, the Competency Match playbook includes six practical tools that can be used together or separately throughout the hiring process. Rather than relying on third-party credentials, formal education or set years of experience, the approach examines how candidates solve problems, communicate, collaborate and adapt on the job.
The resources are also intended to help employers better assess international education and work experience, an area identified as a challenge for both businesses and job seekers. Medicine Hat Economic Development says the tools can be adapted by organizations of any size across various industries, and are available at no cost through the City of Medicine Hat's website.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.