As artificial intelligence reshapes the nature of work, a significant majority of organizations - nine out of ten, as reported by Gartner (Gartner, 2025) - are adopting skills-based processes. AI disruption of work processes, implementation of skills-based approaches, and the democratization of technology through as vibe coding, among other workplace changes, have intensified the challenge of skills validation, recognized as the foremost concern in hiring and talent management (McKinsey, 2024). This presentation examines the case of EPAM Systems, a global IT company, which has transitioned into a skills-based organization (Forrester, 2025), and its collaborative initiatives with higher education institutions to inform curricular design and pedagogical approaches.

The presentation will provide a comparative analysis of skills validation methodologies employed by training providers, universities, and businesses, with a particular focus on multi-signal, data-driven approaches. By evaluating the effectiveness and scalability of these methods, the presentation aims to identify best practices that can be adopted across both industry and academia, ultimately fostering stronger alignment between educational outcomes and the evolving requirements of skills-based workplaces.

Authors:
Olga Gavrilova, EPAM Systems, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Olga Gavrilova, PhD, CPTD, is Senior Talent Development Manager for APAC at EPAM Systems, a global digital business service provider.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-gavrilova-cptd/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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