Why is Upskilling Important?

Upskilling is a workplace trend that facilitates continuous learning by providing training programs and development opportunities that expand an employee's abilities and minimize skill gaps. Upskilling focuses on improving current employees' skill sets, usually through training, so they can advance in their jobs and find different roles and opportunities within the company. As technology creates new opportunities and job positions within the workplace, it becomes increasingly important for companies to fill these new roles with candidates who possess the relevant, specialized skill sets. Upskilling allows organizations to close the digital talent gap and fill these open positions while maintaining their current workforce and creating employee strengthening and learning opportunities. #Several upskilling techniques include: 1 virtual or online courses; 2 mentoring and shadowing; 3 "lunch-and-learn" sessions; and microlearning. #Why is upskilling important? Technology continues to rapidly change the way most organizations operate. In response, companies and their employees must consistently add to their technical knowledge and skill sets. As job requirements change and new skills are required, companies are forced to either find new talent or fill the gap through upskilling. Through upskilling, companies can save money by increasing the abilities of their current employees, instead of spending time and budget on hiring new workers. In addition, the current workforce is expecting more from their job than guaranteed pay and a comfortable workplace environment. Employees now anticipate perks such as paid holidays, affordable healthcare and professional training. By providing employees with upskill training opportunities, organizations can make workers feel that they are valued and have a dedicated future within the company. Overall, upskilling is important because: 1. Job roles and their requirements are changing faster than ever; 2. Employees expect more opportunities for growth within their companies; 3. It helps an organization stay more competitive by closing skill gaps; 4. It decreases the need to recruit outside the company to fill skill gaps; 5. It increases employee satisfaction, boosting motivation, performance and morale 6. It increases employee retention. Additionally, companies that choose to upskill rather than fill skill gaps with outside talent save money and time by reducing the need for hiring, onboarding and training processes