3rd February 2023

What is Upskilling and Does it Really Differ From Reskilling?

How to Accurately Evaluate Employee Skills Before a Promotion

The skills gap is a growing concern in today’s job market and can be addressed by upskilling, reskilling, and continuous education within workforce development models. Professionals can bridge the skills gap by continuously learning new skills and knowledge that are in demand in their current field or industry, or by transitioning to a new field entirely. Organizations also have a key role in addressing the skills gap by investing in the continuous education of their employees and providing training and development opportunities.

Why Prioritize Workforce Development?

Workforce development is a way in which businesses are preparing and developing employees to meet the current and future needs of an organization. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including training, education, career development, and succession planning.

One of the key components of workforce development is providing employees with the training and development they need to perform their jobs effectively. This can include training on specific skills, such as software or processes, as well as more general training on topics such as leadership, communication, and teamwork.

Another important aspect of workforce development is providing employees with opportunities for career development. This can include helping employees to identify their career goals and providing them with the resources and support they need to achieve those goals.This can include mentoring, coaching, and providing access to educational and training opportunities.

Succession planning is also an important part of workforce development. It involves identifying key positions within an organization and developing plans to fill those positions with qualified individuals in the future. This can include identifying high-potential employees and providing them with the development opportunities they need to take on leadership roles within the organization.

Bridging The Skills Gap

The skills gap describes the difference between the skills that employees currently possess and the skills that employers require. As new technologies and industries emerge, there is a growing need for professionals to continuously educate themselves and develop new skills in order to stay competitive. This is where upskilling and reskilling come into play.

Upskilling and reskilling can help professionals bridge the skills gap by learning new skills that are in demand in their current field or industry, or by transitioning to a new field entirely. For example, an IT professional may choose to upskill by learning a new programming language or cybersecurity techniques, while a marketing professional may choose to reskill by learning data analysis or web development skills.

There are a few ways to determine if your staff should upskill or reskill:

  1. Assess your business needs: Determine the skills that are currently in demand in your industry and compare them to the skills of your current staff. If there is a gap, consider upskilling or reskilling your staff to meet those needs.
  2. Evaluate your staff’s performance: Look at the performance of your staff members and identify areas where they may be struggling. If their current skillset is not sufficient to meet their job requirements, it may be time for them to upskill or reskill.
  3. Consider the future of the industry: Look at the trends and projections for your industry. If the industry is evolving and new technologies are being adopted, it may be necessary to upskill or reskill your staff to stay competitive.
  4. Feedback from your staff: Ask your staff about their current skills and career goals. They may have identified areas where they would like to improve, and it can be great opportunity for them to upskill or reskill.

Ultimately, upskilling and reskilling can help your staff stay current in their field and improve their job performance, which can benefit your business in the long run.

Organizations can play a key role in addressing the skills gap by investing in the continuous education of their employees. This can include providing training and development opportunities, offering tuition reimbursement, and encouraging employees to attend conferences and workshops. By investing in the continuous education of their employees, organizations can help bridge the skills gap and ensure that their workforce has the skills and knowledge needed to stay competitive in today’s job market.

If you or others on your team feel like you could use some help gaining skills to enhance your competency as a leader, feel free to check out some of the training we offer, including productivity training, team building training, and even executive coaching for in-depth, one-on-one guidance.