Skill Level, Education, Training, and Experience

Skill level, education, training, and experience are all important considerations for any FLS. The hiring manager should determine what 

Specific skills, if any, are needed for the FLS position that is open. A profile for the skill set of the perfect candidate should be formulated. Maybe an affinity or knack for maintenance, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer skills will be determined to be important. If we are rating the current FLS, we still need to assess the acceptable skill level and then determine if our FLS is at or above or below these levels of acceptability. 

Although we can put together a profile of the skill set that the perfect FLS candidate will possess, the person we choose will probably be far from perfect. Even when we choose the best candidate available, there will probably be areas of the skill set that will be weak or missing. Whatever skills an FLS is lacking, a plan for bolstering this skill level should be shared with the FLS at performance review time. Any plan for skills enhancement should include suggestions for improvement that the FLS can do on his or her own. 

Education, training, and experience are all important factors that should be considered when hiring or assessing an FLS. If we are looking to hire an FLS from the outside or promote from within, we need to determine specifics regarding qualifications. We may want to substitute a certain amount of time in service toward educational or other qualifications. No matter what formula we use, we should consider it carefully. After all, these are important career moves that should not be taken lightly. 

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