Upskilling Definition & How it Can Future-Proof Your Career (2024)

The world is changing quickly, and with it, the future of work.

Even if you’re highly trained and educated, your industry will keep changing and require constant adaptation and you’ll have to continue to upskill.

Upskilling yourself is the solution to this problem. You can evolve your skills to keep up with the changes in your industry and further your career.

Let’s explore what upskilling means and how you can apply it to your own career.

What does upskilling mean?

Upskilling means acquiring new skills to stay competitive and adapt to changing job demands. It is the process of learning new skills that your organization needs to succeed now and in the future. By developing these proficiencies, upskilling closes the gap between what employees can do and what the organization needs them to do.

Upskilling can help both an organization and individual employees remain competitive in a quickly changing environment.

4 upskilling techniques you can use right now

If you want to start upskillingand become a better asset for your company, here are some techniques you can use.

1. Virtual courses and online learning

Gone are the days when you needed to show up in a classroom to learn something new.

Nowadays, you can access virtual courses to upskill your qualifications. This meansthat you can work on learning something new whenever you have time.

Several virtual course platforms are available online, including:

• LinkedIn Learning
• Skillshare
• Open learning from MIT
• Khan Academy
• HubSpot Academy

You can work on these virtual courses at your own pace. So even if your career is demanding, you can still find the time to upskill.

2. Microlearning

Microlearning is exactly what it sounds like — short bursts of learning content.

These bite-sized trainings are better for the retention of materials.

Research shows that spaced-out learning in short burstsis better for long-term memory.

3. Mentoring

Mentoring involves learning from someone who is more experienced than youor who sits above you on the career ladder. You can watch them work, allow them to teach you directly, or have discussions about the skills you want to work on.

Keep in mind that your mentor doesn’t necessarily have to be above you in paygrade.

It all depends on what you want to upskill.

For example, if you want to improve your digital skills, someone straight out of college or a training program you may be more skilled than you in that regard.

4. Coaching

Unlike mentors, coaches receive special training to guide youtowards achieving your goals.

Coaching can be a highly effective way to close your skill gap and realize your potential.It’s more tailored to you or your group than virtual courses.

You can establish long-term goalsand work towards them little by little.

Why is upskilling important?

Upskilling is important because it allows individuals and organizations to keep pace with the rapidly evolving job market and technological advancements. Here are key reasons why upskilling holds significance:

• Adaptation to change: Upskilling equips individuals with the skills needed to adapt to changing job requirements, technological advancements, and industry trends.
• Enhanced employability: By acquiring new skills, individuals become more competitive in the job market, increasing their chances of securing better job opportunities and career advancement.
• Closing skill gaps: Upskilling helps bridge the gap between the skills individuals possess and the skills required by employers, ensuring a better match between job seekers and job openings.
• Improved job satisfaction: Offering upskilling opportunities demonstrates an employer's commitment to employee growth, leading to increased job satisfaction, motivation, and engagement.
• Increased productivity: Upskilling enhances employees' capabilities, enabling them to perform their roles more efficiently and effectively, ultimately boosting overall organizational productivity.
• Future-proofing careers: As automation and artificial intelligence continue to reshape industries, upskilling helps individuals future-proof their careers by acquiring skills that are in demand and less susceptible to automation.
• Retaining talent: Organizations that invest in upskilling demonstrate their commitment to employee development, fostering loyalty and reducing turnover by retaining skilled employees.
• Innovation and competitiveness: Upskilling promotes a culture of innovation within organizations, empowering employees to contribute new ideas and stay ahead of competitors.

In summary, upskilling is crucial for individuals to stay employable, adapt to changes, and thrive in the dynamic job market. At the same time, organizations benefit from a skilled and motivated workforce capable of driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness.

Benefits of upskilling for your career

Upskilling can move your career forward in several ways. Here’s how:

1. Get a raise

When you start upskilling yourself, you become more valuable to your employer.

64%of learning and development professionals agree that workplace learning and development shifted from a “nice to have” to a “need to have” in 2021.

Upskilling and reskillingare the top priorities for these professionals, and have had a 15% increase in priority since June 2020. So working on those skills is one of the best ways to increase your value.

2. Make your work life more satisfying

If you feel stuck in one place at work, upskilling can help you overcome this.

Learning something new is one of the best ways to adopt a fresh perspective. Plus, your new skill sets can make you more productive at your job.

This can make your job more pleasant and satisfying at the same time.

3. Discover a new passion

As you learn, you may discover a new passion. This can lead to new career opportunities down the road.

You can even make a career changeif you discover your new passion is what makes you happy.

4. Develop personally

Finally,upskilling is great for your personal development.

You can keep improving yourself by constantly learning new things. This can also help you achieve personal fulfillment.

Continuing to learn may even decrease your chances of developing dementia,according to studies.

Upskilling vs. reskilling

Upskilling and reskilling share some similarities, but they each have their own purpose.

Reskilling trains people with adjacent skills; upskilling closes skill gaps

If a company needs a specific skill, it will find people with adjacent skills within its workforce to reskill them for what the company needs.

On the other hand, upskilling teaches new and advanced skills to close a skill gap.

Both teach new skills, but upskilling focuses on the current career path. Reskilling teaches skills that go in a different direction.

Reskilling prepares for a different job; upskilling can be for the same job

Upskilling’s goal is to make employees better at their current position. On the other hand, reskilling trains employees to do another job in the same company.

You can still obtain another position by upskilling, especially a promotion. But that’s not its main goal.

How to upskill in 6 steps

Let’s explore a step-by-step process for you to upskill yourself and improve your career path.

1. Start with goal-setting

Before you start learning anything, you need to take a step back and identify your goals.

Do you have a specific career path you wantto take? Are you aiming for a promotion opportunity? Is there a specific task you want to be able to achieve on your own that requires certain skills?

Knowing what your goals are will help you go in the right learning direction.

This can be anything. Perhaps you want to go from entry-level to a manager-level position. Or maybe you have the long-term goal of entering the C-suite.

2. Identify your knowledge gaps

Now that you know your goals, what is stopping you from achieving them?

These will be your knowledge gaps.

You can find out what knowledge gaps you have by consulting with people who have already achieved what you want. Ask them what skills got them to where they are.

Alternatively, you can look at job postings for the position you’re aiming for. Check out what skills the recruiters require to consider someone for the job. Compare this to your existing skills.

3. Establish an upskilling strategy for learning

With your knowledge gaps clearly identified, you can start to create a learning strategy.

Look at various education and training opportunities that can fill in your gaps. Plan out a curriculum for yourself using these resources.

What will you learn first? What will follow? Where will you learn this skill?

Consider what budget you have before choosing your upskilling options. For example, you can try lower-budget options like free courses on Coursera or a monthly subscription to a learning platform like Skillshare.

But if you have the budget for it, consider adding coaching to your curriculumso that you can get one-on-one support.

You should also plan out how you will make time for learning. For example, you may decide to spend half an hour a day learning Python after work.

4. Start learning

It’s time to put your plan into action and learn a new skill. This will take time — you can’t rush learning.

Do your best to have fun throughout the process and cultivate curiosity.

5. Practice your skills

Learning should always culminate in practice.

Find opportunities to practice what you’ve learned in real situations. For example, if you’ve just learned Python, suggest a workflow that you can automate at work and develop something for that.

If you don’t feel confident enough to make a big move yet, practice on a personal project first.

6. Never stop learning

You’ll never be done upskilling. It requires continuous learning.

Even once you achieve your goals, you can always remain open to improving yourself and pursue lifelong learning. You can practice a beginner’s mindto stay open to these opportunities.

Stay aware of any other knowledge gaps that may pop up during your continued learning. Remain adaptable so that you can fill in those gaps as your industry evolves.

How can organizations upskill employees?

Organizations can develop an effective upskilling strategy and process for employees by following these key steps:

1. Identify skill gaps

   Conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the skills that are currently lacking within the organization. This can be done through employee surveys, performance evaluations, or consultation with department heads.

2. Align with business goals

   Determine the skills required to achieve the organization's strategic objectives. Identify the skills that are critical for the future success of the business and prioritize them in the upskilling strategy.

3. Create a competency framework

   Develop a clear competency framework that outlines the skills, knowledge, and behaviors needed for each role within the organization. This framework serves as a foundation for designing targeted upskilling programs.

4. Tailor training programs

   Design training programs that address the identified skill gaps and align with the organization's competency framework. Consider a mix of internal and external training options, such as workshops, online courses, mentoring programs, or collaboration with educational institutions.

5. Individualize development plans

   Recognize that each employee has unique strengths, weaknesses, and career goals. Engage in regular conversations with employees to understand their aspirations and development needs. Create individualized development plans that align with both organizational and employee objectives.

6. Provide resources and support

   Ensure that employees have access to the necessary resources, such as training materials, technology, and dedicated time for upskilling activities. Offer support through mentoring, coaching, or internal subject matter experts who can guide employees in their learning journey.

7. Encourage continuous learning

   Foster a culture of continuous learning by promoting self-directed learning, providing opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration, and recognizing and rewarding employees' efforts in upskilling.

8. Measure and evaluate

   Establish metrics and evaluation methods to track the effectiveness of the upskilling programs. Monitor employee progress, collect feedback, and assess the impact of upskilling initiatives on individual performance and overall organizational outcomes.

9. Adapt and iterate

   Continuously review and refine the upskilling strategy based on feedback and evolving business needs. Stay informed about industry trends and emerging skills to ensure the organization remains agile and responsive to changes in the market.

By following these steps, organizations can develop a systematic and tailored approach to upskilling that empowers employees, strengthens the workforce, and drives organizational success in a rapidly changing business environment.

Where can you apply upskilling?

There are four main areas you can upskill. Let’s break them down.

1. Digital upskilling

Digital upskilling is one of the most important applications of upskilling. As new technology appears in the workforce, so does a need for relevant skills.

As digital transformation changes every industry, it’s important to fill in knowledge gaps so you don’t fall too far behind.

During the COVID-19 pandemic,1 in 3American workers either had limited digital skills or none at all. This means there’s a large skill gap in the workforce.

Here are some digital skills you can work on:

• Programming
• Social media
• Digital marketing
• Digital literacy
• Information technology
• Web development
• Software development
• Ability to delegate
• Motivation (and the ability to motivate others)
• Ability to provide constructive feedback
• Honesty
• Risk-taking
• Loyalty and commitment
• Resilience
• Interpersonal skills
• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Persuasion
• Adaptability
• Emotional intelligence

2. Leadership

Developing leadersis crucial for organizations.

Leaders do well in management positions and can help bring out the best in a workforce. As a result, many organizations value leadership skills.

These include:

• Communication
• Empathy
• Strategic thinking
• Adaptability
• Decision making

3. Soft skills

Soft skills are necessary skillsto interact with others and stay productive at your job.

These are often more difficult to pinpoint than hard skills. They also take more time and commitment to develop.

Some examples of valuable soft skills include:

• Critical thinking
• Decision-making
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Resilience
• Active listening
• Networking
• Cultural sensitivity

4. Analytics

Analytical skills involve anything relating to data science, statistics, research analysis, and other similar fields.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations that require analytical skills are some of the fastest-growing occupations right now.

For example, statisticians are predicted to grow at a rate of 35%between 2019 and 2029.

Here are some analytic skills you should consider upskilling:

• Problem-solving
• Inductive and deductive reasoning
• Research
• Data science
• Business analysis
• Critical thinking

Start upskilling to master your career path

Upskilling yourself doesn’t just make you better at your job, it helps your personal development. Upskilling can also help build out your organization's talent marketplace. Learn to be a continuous learner and you'll be better at life.

It keeps you relevant in a fast-changing digital world.

You can start upskilling to achieve your personal goals by trying coaching with BetterUp. Sign up for a demoto see how it can help you level up.

Published June 14, 2023