Upskill and reskill Now to be Prepared and Relevant for Tomorrow’s Jobs

The Covid-19 pandemic pulled the rug beneath our feet, leaving many to close the shutters on their previously thriving businesses. This led to people losing their jobs overnight and left the economy in shambles. Workers who were still employed feared for their jobs while the jobless scrambled to find new opportunities. This resulted in many people looking to improve their skill set by upskilling or learning an entirely new skill set by reskilling.

What exactly is upskilling and reskilling?

You may have heard these buzzwords more frequently than usual recently. While they both generally mean the learning of new skills, there are slight differences that set them apart. 

Upskilling 

Upskilling is the process of learning new skills to upgrade your skill set and is common within the workplace. Employers usually develop their employees through methods such as workshops, courses, seminars, individual coaching, shadowing or mentoring. This enables the employees to develop and flourish within their current roles while also bringing much added value to the company. 

Reskilling

Reskilling is the process of learning new skills with the end goal of finding a different job or career path. It is usually the choice for people that are looking to change their jobs or careers. This can be done by furthering their education or undergoing training in the new field of their choice.  

Why is upskilling and reskilling important now?

• The Covid-19 Pandemic

While the global economy took a hit during the pandemic, history has shown that a worldwide pandemic or natural disaster is usually followed by a period of growth and success. Although Covid 19 hasn’t been eradicated, the global economy is on the verge of a post-pandemic boom. It is therefore vital to start thinking about upskilling and reskilling at this pivotal point in economic history, to ensure your success in the post-pandemic era.

• Digitalization 

Many companies that were initially slow on hopping onto the digitalization train have revolutionised their systems when the pandemic left them with limited avenues to conduct their business. With the world in lockdown, the only way to continue making sales revenue was through digital and online marketing. This resulted in a sharp rise of new apps, systems, and software. The impact of digitalization also saw an increase in new jobs that did not exist 10 years ago. Jobs such as app developers, cyber security engineers, and social media managers are now deemed as highly sought-after positions in many organisations worldwide. Therefore, more people are looking into reskilling and upskilling themselves to find work in these sectors. 

• Saves time and cost

Hiring a talented and suitable employee can be a very time-consuming and expensive process. With the world still in recovery from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, it is the priority of every company to save costs wherever possible. By training and upskilling current employees, companies will be able to tap on skills they already possess – thus shortening the wrap-up time to peak productivity.

• Cultivates adaptability

The pandemic has put us in a situation where we’re currently living our day-to-day lives not knowing what to expect next. To maintain a sustainable and successful business, it is crucial for companies to ensure that their workforce is made up of employees who are adaptable and can cope with constant changes. By investing in upskilling, they will be able to build and strengthen certain skill sets of their workforce – which will help their employees learn how to anticipate and accommodate any eventuality that could suddenly take place (without them crumbling under the pressure!). 

• Increases productivity

Companies that constantly invest in upskilling their workforce demonstrate how much they value their employees. This in turn makes employees feel appreciated and happy – thus fostering a positive attitude towards their work and significantly increasing their productivity. When employees are happy and satisfied at their workplace, they are more willing to go all out to ensure that the company thrives during turbulent times.

• Fosters teamwork

Upskilling helps teams within a company understand the different skill sets which exist among their co-workers. This significantly contributes towards breaking down the existing silos between departments and teams – fostering a culture of collaboration. It also helps identify the strengths and weaknesses of a company’s workforce so that knowledge gaps can then be appropriately filled. It allows employees to explore various skills beyond their usual roles and specialisations, which helps grow their ability to work together towards a common goal.

As the world recovers from the aftershocks of Covid-19, it is clear that employees and job seekers can no longer put upskilling and reskilling on the back burner. To increase a sense of employment security and the chances of getting hired, upskilling and reskilling are absolutely essential for everyone. It is important to make hay while the sun shines!

Ready for your future? After upskilling, update your profile to highlight your new skills. Start your journey to a fulfilling career by searching for #JobsThatMatter. Don’t forget to visit the Career Resources Hub for more expert tips and advice on building and improving your career.