No career is stagnant. Advancements in technology, breakthrough research, and reimagining of established methodologies are just a few familiar scenarios that affect personal and professional growth. Rapid technological achievements, along with the new landscape shaped by the pandemic and the increasingly competitive market, show that skills development is becoming even more of a necessity. If these circumstances reflect your current role, consider the benefits of upskilling.
Upskilling is the way to meet growing demands in changing industries and earn new competencies. Upskilling builds on existing knowledge and boosts relevancy in the job you’re already in. In contrast, reskilling supplies skills for a new job, perhaps driven by automation in the field or new personal interests. It is important to keep in mind that upskilling is not a single project, course, or activity. The mindset of lifelong learning is crucial to a healthy and fulfilling career. Furthermore, upskilling supplies advantages not only for employees looking to increase their marketability, but also for employers hoping to increase retention.
Why Upskill?
If you’re comfortable in your job, you may ask, “Why upskill?” The answer will likely depend on where you are in your personal and professional growth. Finally nabbing that promotion or staying distinguished within your role are arguably the most likely responses, or perhaps it is simply for your own enrichment. More practically, upskilling allows you to be adaptive. Whether the skills you learn are broad or targeted, you are increasing your range and flexibility. With adaptability comes relevancy—in other words: stay in-demand. Your skillset should reflect industry needs, whether that means learning new software or understanding developing interpersonal methodologies.
If you find yourself already on the cutting-edge of your field, consider cross-training. Evaluate the skills you already have and determine how you can further refine or expand them to apply to an advanced role. Capitalize on your abilities and determine how they might apply in other positions and what you need to do to supplement and expand your current skillset.
Support From Employers Crucial
Employers play a key role in upskilling and not just to the benefit of their employees: it simply makes economic sense. Outsourcing talent, dealing with high rates of turnover, or continuing to implement archaic systems take a financial toll on businesses, companies, and organizations. Ultimately, the cost of upskilling is lower than other methods of closing the skills gaps among your employees and carries the added benefits of employee retention and rapidly and agilely adjusting to market demands.
Supporting employees with skills development is just the first step. Upskilling is a continuous process that mirrors and adapts to industry trends as they develop and emerge. According to Boston Consulting Group and The Network, “the rudiments of [an upskilling program] are good skills management—being able to assess and track workers’ proficiency in key areas—and a learning-journey approach that can be rolled out and customized to thousands of people efficiently.” Employers should strategically project needs for skills, set results-driven goals, and monitor gaps as they arise. A highly skilled workforce has the potential to disrupt the status quo and develop new models that will drive productivity.
Upskilling Beyond Remote Work
Since the onset of the pandemic, nearly the entire workforce has upskilled in major ways. However, in the big picture, upskilling today goes beyond learning how to work efficiently from home. It takes initiative and leadership to determine and predict industry trends and needs. Employers and employees alike should leverage new skills developed during lockdown and with that momentum implement skills-development programs. Upskilling not only avoids unnecessary expenditures, but increases engagement, productivity, and retention among current employees. Support from employers is both strategic and necessary to combat the Great Resignation and keep up with industry trends.