--- title: Tackling Skills Gaps With Skills Development and Career Path Mapping description: Improve internal mobility and build organisational resilience through skills development and career path mapping. image: https://blog.head-light.co.uk/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/skills%20development%20seated%20at%20table-1.jpg --- [![HeadLight-logo-from LF for website](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/hubfs/HeadLight_Sep2016/HeadLight-logo-from%20LF%20for%20website.png)](https://head-light.co.uk/) - [About Us](https://head-light.co.uk/what-makes-head-light-different/) ### [Our Clients Our clients come from industry, justice, government and not for profit sectors.](https://head-light.co.uk/our-clients/) ### [Case Studies Find out what people have said about Head Light and how we have helped.](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/case-studies) ### [Client Charter We like to be clear and upfront in how we work – and how we won’t work. Our Client Charter sets this out.](https://head-light.co.uk/client-charter/) ### [Consulting Partners When you partner with another organisation to deliver services to your clients, your reputation and future business success rests on your Partner’s ability and commitment to make it happen.](https://head-light.co.uk/consulting-partners/) ### [Our Location Head Light is based in Ascot, if you visit us with an electric vehicle, then you can have a free charge on us!](https://head-light.co.uk/contact-us/) ### [About Head Light Head Light helps public sector and regulated organisations turn workforce signals into intelligence about capability, readiness and risk. We are recognised in the Fosway 9-Grid™ for Talent & People Success and have supported customers for 20 years.](https://head-light.co.uk/what-makes-head-light-different/) - [Workforce Capability Intelligence](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/) ### [Workforce Signals Surfacing the evidence layer that turns workforce data into intelligence.](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/) ### [Capability Intelligence Understanding workforce capability across your organisation.](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/capability-intelligence/) ### [Workforce Readiness Tracking organisational readiness in real time.](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/workforce-readiness/) ### [Succession Intelligence Understanding leadership continuity and succession risk.](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/succession-intelligence/) ### [Workforce Risk Identifying workforce capability risk before it becomes operational risk.](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/workforce-risk/) ### [Organisational Insight Understanding workforce sentiment and organisational confidence.](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/organisational-insight/) - [Products](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/) ### [Talent 360 360-degree feedback software - spot potential, pinpoint development focus, embed recognition.](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-360/) ### [Talent Performance Embedding a culture of performance conversation and recognition.](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-performance/) ### [Talent Navigator Individual career ownership through career path mapping.](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-navigator/) ### [Talent Successor Succession planning software: providing a strategic line of sight.](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-successor/) ### [Talent SafeGuard Skills management: by the individual and for the individual.](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-safeguard/) ### [Talent En-Gauge Plan and take action to strengthen employee engagement.](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-en-gauge/) ### [Talent Advance Keep track of goal planning.](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-advance/) - [Consultancy & Training](https://head-light.co.uk/consultancy-training/) ### [Design a Skills or Competency Framework Get a skills or competency framework right for your organisation and your talent management practices make a real and lasting contribution.](https://head-light.co.uk/designing-your-competency-framework/) ### [360 and Performance Assessment Design We develop, test and validate bespoke assessments across all sectors, at every level of talent and every stage of talent management.](https://head-light.co.uk/assessment-design/) ### [Designing a Talent Management Strategy Do you have a Talent Management strategy? Do all your talent activities integrate, utilise the same language and align with your organisational strategy?](https://head-light.co.uk/talent-management-strategy/) ### [Talent Management for Managers Talent Management is not the sole domain of the HR or Learning & Development team. delivering your organisation’s people a strategy.](https://head-light.co.uk/talent-management-for-managers/) ### [Feedback Facilitator Training Investing in 360-degree feedback delivers little benefit if the review and feedback conversation is not handled properly.](https://head-light.co.uk/facilitator-training/) ### [Administrator Training Deploying a talent management software system successfully is not about luck. It requires robust and secure software, solid processes and great administrators.](https://head-light.co.uk/administrator-training/) - [Our Blog](https://blog.head-light.co.uk) - [Blue Light Services](https://head-light.co.uk/blue-light-services/) ### [Blue Light User Group Sharing talent management best practice and collaborating on new features to the Talent platform.](https://head-light.co.uk/blue-light-user-group/) ### [Talent Management for Police 360, PDR and talent and succession planning for police officers and staff.](https://head-light.co.uk/talent-management-for-police-forces/) ### [Talent Management for Fire and Rescue Services 360, PDR and succession planning for fire and rescue services.](https://head-light.co.uk/talent-management-for-fire-and-rescue-services/) [TELL ME MORE](https://head-light.co.uk/contact-us/) # Tackling Skills Gaps With Skills Development and Career Path Mapping --- ![skills development seated at table](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/skills%20development%20seated%20at%20table-1.jpg?width=361&height=180&name=skills%20development%20seated%20at%20table-1.jpg)Amidst widespread and worsening skills shortages, organisations face a core, fundamental challenge that demands immediate attention. While the buzz around AI – as both an enabler and a disruptor of talent and workforce management processes – prompts us to reimagine job roles, it diverts focus from addressing the critical issue of skills gaps. According to Gartner, the [top two priorities for talent management leaders](https://www.gartner.com/en/human-resources/trends/leadership-vision-talent-management) right now are 'leader and manager development', and 'career management to enhance internal mobility and nurture skills. The study revealed that: - Over one-quarter (26%) of CEOs rank the talent shortage as the most damaging factor on the outlook for business. - Eighty-three percent of HR leaders report their struggle to find enough talent with the skills they need. - Over one-half of HR leaders (57%), say that the lack of talent undermines the sustainability of corporate performance. With external talent scarce, we need to shift the focus inwards and concentrate on building greater internal talent mobility. ### **Unleashing the Power of Internal Talent: Making Career Paths Visible** Ninety-five per cent of talent leaders admit that unclear career paths within their organisation hinder the delivery of key business priorities. The challenge lies not only in providing employees with the visibility of potential career paths, but also in demonstrably supporting them to explore and discuss their career ambitions. Career path mapping tools enable this critical support. Look for a customisable career path mapping tool for your employees that helps them to explore and plot out possible career routes based on their current skillset and competencies. It needs to flag the specific competencies, skills and knowledge they need to acquire or develop to move into their identified roles, along with realistic timelines for achieving those milestones. More than this, the ideal career path mapping tool also suggests roles or career moves not yet considered by the employee, opening them up to a range of future career paths – be they linear or lateral career moves. [Talent Navigator](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-navigator/) has this innovative feature called ‘Great Match’ which does just that! The ‘safe space’ provided by a career path mapping tool, gives the employee the opportunity to ‘test drive’ potential career moves and provides the information to have a more meaningful career conversation with their manager, mentor or coach. It also demonstrates your organisation’s commitment to internal workforce mobility, career progression and skills development - and ultimately  ### **Showcasing Skills and Experience: Surfacing Hidden Talents** While employees can explore possible career moves with a career path mapping tool, many want the internal visibility of their specific, perhaps untapped, skills and expertise. [Skills management tools](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-safeguard/) put the power into the hands of the employee – and stops it from being an HR burden. Employees get to choose which skills they share or bring attention to. Perhaps it is something they have done in the past that they’d like to do more of - or knowledge they have gained from a different role. Whatever they bring, by having a searchable repository for skills and experience, means: - Greater (and possibly organisation-wide) exposure for them and their talents. - Project teams that bring together some of those who might not have been considered. - Opportunities to contribute to beyond their current role. - Faster set up and greater agility of teams. - Finding people with rare or hard-to-acquire skills. ### **Handing Over the Ownership: Creating a More Employee-centric Approach** In a world of more a more ‘joined-up’ view of workforce planning, let’s make a clear connection between current skill levels, previous experience, job families, career aspirations and internal workforce mobility. Introduce a single workforce intelligence platform of interconnected tools that: - Employees can access and update whenever they wish. - HR and managers can dip into and interrogate when needed. Proactively drives internal mobility options and choices. - Can adapt and flex as skills and priorities change. That is, it can be configured and customised for where you and your employees are now, and where you are heading. Software can help. However, it needs to be based on a foundation of cultural change and a shift towards true employee ownership of their development and career planning. ### **Retaining and Engaging Talent** One final finding from the Gartner study. Those who agree that their organisation provides internal workforce mobility are: - 1.43 times more likely to report higher intent to stay and; - 2.46 times more likely to report higher engagement. Retention and engagement. These are the building blocks to talent management. *To have a conversation about how you might get started in supporting your employees manage their careers and skills development, [get in touch.](https://head-light.co.uk/contact-us/)* [Career Path Mapping](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/topic/career-path-mapping) [building skills](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/topic/building-skills) [skills management](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/topic/skills-management) [Workforce Mobility](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/topic/workforce-mobility) [Workforce Risk](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/topic/workforce-risk) ## Related posts ### [Best 360 Feedback Software for Global Teams](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/best-360-feedback-software-for-global-teams) Choosing 360 feedback software for a global leadership development programme is a different challeng... 6 Oct 2026 ### [Workforce Capability Visibility for Specialist Public Bodies](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/workforce-capability-visibility-for-specialist-public-bodies) Most specialist public bodies can tell you who works for them and what role each person holds. Far f... 1 Oct 2026 ### [5 Best 360 Feedback Software for Enterprises in 2026](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/6-best-360-feedback-software-for-enterprises-in-2026) Choosing 360 feedback software for a large, complex organisation is a high-stakes decision. You need... 29 Sept 2026 [![HeadLight-logo-from LF for website](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/hubfs/HeadLight_Sep2016/HeadLight-logo-from%20LF%20for%20website.png)](https://head-light.co.uk/) [![Fosway-2025](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Fosway-2025-150x150.jpg?width=150&height=150&name=Fosway-2025-150x150.jpg)](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/news/head-light-fosway-grid-2025)   ### Useful Links - [Home](https://head-light.co.uk/) - [About](https://head-light.co.uk/what-makes-head-light-different/) - [Workforce Signals](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/) - [Products](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/) - [Blue Light Services](https://head-light.co.uk/blue-light-services/) ### Workforce Signals - [Capability Intelligence](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/workforce-mobility/) - [Organisational Insight](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/organisational-insight/) - [Succession Intelligence](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/organisational-insight/) - [View All](https://head-light.co.uk/workforce-intelligence-platform/) ### Our Products - [Talent 360](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-360/) - [Talent Performance](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-performance/) - [Talent Navigator](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/talent-navigator/) - [View All](https://head-light.co.uk/products-overview/) ### Consultancy & Training - [Consultancy & Training Services](https://head-light.co.uk/consultancy-training/) - [Designing your competency framework](https://head-light.co.uk/designing-your-competency-framework/) - [360 and performance assessment design](https://head-light.co.uk/assessment-design/) ### Support - [Contact](https://head-light.co.uk/contact-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.head-light.co.uk) - [FAQs](https://head-light.co.uk/faqs/) - [Resources](https://head-light.co.uk/resources/) - [News](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/news)   Copyright © Head Light Ltd. All rights reserved. Company Number 05087004. **[ISMS Statement](https://blog.head-light.co.uk/news/head-light-retains-iso-27001-certification-audit-for-2025)** | [**Privacy Policy**](https://head-light.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PV01-HL-Privacy-Policy-v4.5-Website.pdf) | **[Terms](https://head-light.co.uk/stage/?page_id=253)** | [**ISMS Policy**](https://head-light.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ISMS-SIgned-2020.pdf)   Search Head Light This is a search field with an autosuggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Head Light", "url" : "https://blog.head-light.co.uk/author/head-light" }, "dateModified" : "2026-07-29T11:00:21.358Z", "datePublished" : "2024-05-09T23:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Tackling Skills Gaps With Skills Development and Career Path Mapping", "image" : [ "https://blog.head-light.co.uk/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/skills%20development%20seated%20at%20table-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.head-light.co.uk/blog/skills-shortages-skills-development-career-path-mapping", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.head-light.co.uk/hubfs/Version%202%20(text%20without%20shadow)-%203x%20300.png" }, "name" : "Head Light" } } ```