In an employment market where finding the right staff is as difficult as ever, a unique combination of machine learning and artificial intelligence developed at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is helping businesses hire efficiently and effectively. Quescreen, developed by pre-employment specialists Workforce Health Assessors (WHA) in partnership with UTS, is a smart and intuitive occupational health risk screening tool backed by innovative artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. The cutting-edge software provides a tailored online health risk assessment in just 20 minutes, assisting employers to make a fast, convenient and affordable medical and health-based assessment on a person’s suitability for employment. Since the launch of Quescreen earlier this year, businesses across Australia have taken advantage of the software’s ability to streamline the employment process. One such business is Central Coast Motor Group, with Human Resource Manager Isabelle Bond saying Quescreen helped navigate a tight employment market. “The biggest benefit of using Quescreen has been the reduced time it has taken to make job offers. In the current market, this is invaluable,” Ms Bond said. “We have also found the process to be more relevant to office-based roles in the way it is less intrusive.” UTS Head of Software Engineering, Professor Farookh Khadeer Hussain, said Quescreen’s AI and machine learning characteristics meant the software could effectively replicate a human workplace health assessor’s decision-making capability, vastly expediting the process of determining a candidate’s suitability for a variety of low-risk roles. “The combination of technologies in Quescreen, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, enables the program to automate human decision making, or replicate the decision a human could make within set guidelines. “In an employment risk management context, the sophistication, intelligence and flexibility of Quescreen fills an important gap in the recruitment and assessment phase, particularly in relation to low-risk roles. “It’s exciting to know we have such a unique and powerful software already, and we look forward to discovering more applications for Quescreen as the software continues to evolve.” Quescreen General Manager Sarah Burnett said employing the software was revolutionising pre- employment health checks for low-risk roles and saving businesses time and money while providing them with invaluable peace of mind. “There’s nothing more important than making sure a potential employee is fit for the job, and Quescreen allows businesses to do just that in a cost-effective and time-effective manner, filling a vital gap in the market,” Ms Burnett said. “From a financial perspective, employing fit and healthy staff places downward pressure on workers’ compensation premiums and reduces absenteeism within a business. “For example, on average if a business has 50 employees who take five days of sick leave per year, on a salary of $60,000, it will cost the business approximately $62,500. However, if this business were to reduce the amount of sick leave per person by two days the loss is reduced to approximately $37,500. “Quescreen also delivers a visual representation of the health status of your employees, giving businesses a greater understanding of human risk in the workplace, and allowing them to introduce informed Health and Wellness initiatives and programs. “Quescreen is fully customisable to reflect the specific risks and unique job needs of the exact role for each business and can include mental health, foundational strength and licensing screening, ensuring a business can meet organisational or legislative requirements while creating a happy and healthy workforce.” For more information about Quescreen, visit: https://quescreen.com/