The world is changing so fast, and so is the future of work. Even if you feel you're educated and trained enough, your niche or industry will keep changing and require constant adaptation to the ever-changing work landscape. Want to know the best solution to keep up with these changes? Upskilling — through this, you can adapt to the industry's changes and even further your career.
What Is Upskilling?
If you're not yet familiar with this term then this article is perfect for you! Upskilling means acquiring new skills and knowledge to stay on top to changing job demands and of course to stay competitive. It's the process taking proactive steps to learn new skills so you can contribute to your organization currently and even in the upcoming years.
By upskilling, you are closing the gap between what you can do and what your organization needs you to do. By developing these proficiencies, an organization and individuals can remain competitive on top of a quickly changing work environment.
What Are the Top Upskilling Techniques?
Are you afraid of being left behind and missing out on all the future-proof skills? If so, start upskilling and become a greater asset for your company through the years! To start, here are upskilling techniques you can use right now:
1. Mentoring
This process involves getting knowledge from someone who is more experienced in your craft or from someone who's superior to you. You can do this by shadowing — watching them work and allowing them to teach you personally. But before doing that, emphasize which skills you want to work on.
Also, keep in mind that a mentor doesn't always mean someone with a higher pay grade than you. It all boils down to whatever you want to learn or hone.
2. Microlearning
Nowadays, we all know our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter — that's why bite-sized trainings are created for better retention of crucial details and information. Microlearning, as it name says, are short bursts of learning materials. It is also proved that spaced-out learning in short bursts is much better for long-term memory.
3. Coaching
If you want a more tailored learning experience for you or your group, start by finding the best coaches. Unlike mentors, coaches undergo special training in a specific niche for them to guide professionals in achieving their goals.
4. Online Courses and Virtual Learning
If you hate the thought of showing up in a classroom to learn something new, it's best to opt for virtual learning and online courses. It's easier than ever to access virtual courses in order for you to upskill. Through these opportunities, you can work on honing your skills and learn something new in the comfort of your home any time you feel like it.
Many online platforms are readily available, including:
- Udemy
- Skillshare
- LinkedIn Learning
- HubSpot Academy
- Khan Academy
- MIT Open Learning
Even if your career is demanding, you can still sneak in some time to upskill, as these platforms let you work on virtual courses at your desired pace.
Why Is Upskilling Important?
For individuals and organizations to keep pace with the ever-evolving job market and technological advancements, it's very crucial to upskill. Wanna know why it's important? Keep reading!
1. Bridging Skill Gaps
Upskilling helps bridge the gap between your current skills and the skills required by potential employers, giving you a higher chance of standing out in the competition and easily being entertained by many job openings.
2. Improved Productivity
Upskilling can greatly boost your confidence, leading to more efficient and effective work performance. It can also boost your overall organizational productivity, and who knows, you might be able to impress your boss this time!
3. Future-proofing
As technology continues to evolve and bring forth advanced automation and artificial intelligence, it's crucial to keep pace with them. Upskilling will be a great help with this as it helps individuals future-proof their careers by honing current their skill set and acquiring in-demand skills that are less vulnerable to automation.
4. Increased Chance of Being Hired
By honing your skills or acquiring new ones, you can be a significant asset in the job market, increasing your chances of securing yourself a better-paying job or even career advancement.
Upskill or Go Downhill
We all know the world changes in the blink of an eye, the skills that were so much valuable a few years ago might not cut it anymore. And not staying on top of things increases the chance of you getting left behind especially in your career. That might be harsh, but that's the reality of our times.
But here's the good news — upskilling is the answer! By proactively acquiring a new set of skills and knowledge, you'll be able to future-proof your career and even open up new great opportunities. Whether it's attending a workshop, taking an online course, or just reading to keep up with the latest industry needs, there are so many ways to upskill!
