AbilityMap has become the first capability assessment technology to be accepted under the NSW Public Sector Talent Acquisition Scheme (SCM0012), proving once again the sector’s enthusiasm for innovative solutions. Listed under the category of ‘psychometric assessments’, AbilityMap measures human capability i.e. the behaviours required in work, not personality, removing the need for complex interpretation between people and role requirements.
For the first time since the introduction of the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework in 2013, agencies can objectively measure people’s capabilities and evaluate alignment with role or function-specific requirements.
Built upon the Australian Employability Skills Framework, AbilityMap’s capability framework distinguishes 31 discrete workplace capabilities. AbilityMap’s framework is mapped to the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework and the SFIA Digital Skills Framework.
AbilityMap’s capability insights can inform most decisions throughout the employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding, to learning, development, internal mobility, succession planning and career pathing. Its purpose is to align people’s strengths with the requirements of the role and environment so that people thrive and contribute positively to the team and organisation.
How NSW Agencies Can Use AbilityMap
Wherever capabilities inform people decisions, AbilityMap provides the objective capability intelligence to make those decisions with confidence. Specifically in the NSW Public Sector, this includes:
Talent Acquisition. Making hiring decisions is one of the more challenging aspects of being a manager. Now that AI is here to stay, polishing CVs and applications, it’s even harder to separate candidates. Our clients find that, with AbilityMap, they can see the difference, and the hiring guides help navigate the selection process with confidence. AbilityMap objectively evaluates and compares candidates on merit-based selection criteria, reducing reliance on subjectivity and intuition during interviews. It helps find the right person for the role, not the best performer on the day.
Internal Mobility. AbilityMap helps you identify people with strong capability alignment to roles beyond their substantive position, helping you reduce reliance on external hiring processes and supporting greater internal mobility.
Career Pathing. Managers are empowered to have meaningful performance and career coaching conversations with their employees by identifying capabilities needed for future roles and supporting capability development where needed.
Targeted Development. The capability evaluation is available for teams to identify areas of capability strength and opportunity for growth and development. This objective measurement enables managers to target capability development tailored for individuals where it will have the greatest impact, rather than applying a single development approach for everyone.
Machinery of Government. Staffing changes are inevitable each state election. Understanding people’s capabilities and alignment to available roles quickly surfaces options to support employees transitioning to new roles and structures.
How it Works
The online capability evaluation incorporates a behavioural questionnaire and three cognitive assessments to provide an objective rating on each of the 31 capabilities.
The NSW Public Service Commission’s Recruitment and Selection Guide notes that psychometric assessments should be administered by a registered psychologist or accredited professional, and that agencies should engage accredited suppliers through the Talent Acquisition Scheme. The development of AbilityMap’s assessment was led by Kevin Chandler, a Registered Psychologist and Co-Founder of AbilityMap, and the platform is designed to meet the requirements of professional, validated psychometric practice.
Many companies set role requirements based on their expertise and industry standards. AbilityMap enables you to set the unique capability requirements for every role. As an online platform, you can also adjust these profiles as responsibilities change over time.
For NSW Public Sector agencies
AbilityMap is available through the buy.nsw portal under the Talent Acquisition Scheme (SCM0012), Schedule 3: Psychometric Tools. View AbilityMap’s Profile (Ref: 42047).
All support and implementation services are provided locally, based in NSW, Australia, and our team has deep experience working in and with the NSW Public Sector.
To hear from our other clients, please explore our client Case Studies and testimonials.
To discuss how capability assessment can support your agency’s goals and people decisions, contact the AbilityMap team or connect via the buy.nsw portal.
