Navigating the Talent Maze: The Challenge of Attracting Data Engineers to HR

The world of people analytics is at a crossroads. On one side, the potential for data-driven decision-making in HR is incredible, offering insights that can transform organizational dynamics and employee engagement. On the other, a stark reality exists: a significant gap in the talent pool, especially when it comes to finding talent ready to tackle the data engineering side of people analytics. This gap isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a major roadblock for HR departments aiming to leverage the full power of data analytics. Let's unpack why this is a critical issue and how companies like One Model are addressing it.

Talent Challenges in Building In-House Solutions

Developing an effective people analytics platform is no small feat. It requires an end-to-end team with a diverse set of skills, from data engineering and data science to HR expertise and software development. But finding individuals who possess these skills is a daunting task that often requires extensive time and resources to source, recruit, and onboard.

Once onboarded, the innovation gap can become quickly apparent. Data engineers and data scientists thrive on solving novel complex problems, but we’ve seen the maintenance and iterative improvement of in-house HR technology can lead to disengagement and high turnover for this group. Especially given the rare blend of skills these professionals possess and high market demand.

Moreover, every hour spent by your HR or IT team on developing, troubleshooting, and maintaining an in-house analytics solution is an hour not spent on value creation or strategic initiatives. As organizations grow and change, so too do their analytics needs. Building a solution that can scale and adapt with these changes without significant additional investment is a formidable if not impossible challenge, often straining resources further. Platforms are not a one-and-done investment. 

The Strategic Advantage of Vendor Partnerships

Partnering with a people analytics platform vendor like One Model brings a wealth of experience and a team of experts who are continuously engaged in the development and refinement of the platform. This immediate access to expertise translates into scaled reporting and sophisticated analytics capabilities that are ready to use on day one. By starting with a vendor, organizations can keep internal resources focused on strategic priorities, leveraging the headstart provided by the vendor rather than getting bogged down in technicalities.

Vendors operate at scale, serving multiple clients with the same infrastructure. This allows them to offer powerful analytics capabilities at a fraction of the cost it would take to develop similar functionalities in-house. Additionally, vendors are motivated by competition and client’s needs to continuously innovate and improve their offerings, ensuring organizations benefit from these innovations without additional investment.

When it comes to overcoming the talent challenges of building and maintaining a sophisticated people analytics platform, One Model stands out. Not only do we offer incredible careers for data engineers, working on challenging and impactful projects across the analytics space, but we also maintain an incredible retention rate for that talent. Our approach to dedicated support means that the data engineer who implements your solution often stays on to support your subscription, offering deep familiarity with your organization's specific needs and challenges.

Our leadership, including our CEO who comes from a data engineering background, ensures that our solutions are not only technically advanced but also perfectly tailored to the real-world needs of people analytics. This level of expertise and commitment positions One Model as a partner who understands the intricacies of people analytics from a data engineering perspective — making us an attractive, cost-effective, and strategically sound alternative for organizations looking to leverage the full power of people analytics without the challenges of staffing.

Conclusion

While building a people analytics solution in-house from the ground up may seem appealing, the practical challenges and talent implications often make partnering with a vendor the safer choice. One Model offers a history of success, expert support, and an innovative platform that continues to evolve to meet your organization's needs, ensuring you remain at the forefront of HR technology revolution. Choose One Model, where data engineering talent meets HR innovation, and let us help you leverage insights to attract, retain, and develop top talent effectively.

Learn how One Model can help you.