Very few jobs are 100% stagnant.
Instead, roles naturally pivot and expand over time. This often results from changes in technology, consumer needs, and workforce dynamics. The most recent examples of these changes are the increases in automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the lasting impact of COVID-19. With all these changes, the demand for upskilling has risen.
Upskilling versus reskilling
While by no means a new term, upskilling is certainly the current office buzzword across many industries. Frequently (and often incorrectly) interchanged with reskilling, upskilling is learning to expand and enhance one’s current skill sets. In contrast, reskilling is learning new skills outside of one’s current abilities and knowledge. Therefore, reskilling is usually done to pivot careers, while upskilling is often to advance and improve in one’s current career.
Some common upskilling topics include:
- Technology
- Communication
- Organizational efficiency
- Personal development
- Industry-specific knowledge
Benefits of upskilling
Pay increase potential. We’ll let you in on a little secret: it doesn’t make you a bad person to want to improve your skills solely for the extrinsic motivation of money! Obviously, with an increase in knowledge, skills, and expertise, you can often expect or better advocate for higher compensation. Check with your employer on how pay steps for your role are determined. See if some basic upskilling (e.g., completing a workshop or course) could mean a pay increase!
Career growth opportunities. Many leadership roles require industry-specific knowledge and skills. Be proactive and find out what skills are most valuable in your industry. Focus on those to upskill. This increase in expertise can help grow your career.
Workplace efficiency. When your work is efficient, you can increase your quality and quantity of work. This can help you stand out among your colleagues, all while better supporting your organization’s mission.
Self-assurance. With an increase in knowledge, naturally comes more confidence. This means you can work more independently and quickly.
Industry adaptability. By gaining specialized knowledge, you can increase your future job potential! For example, if you work in HR and decide to upskill on the new HR technology, this specialized knowledge could transfer to other fields like IT, consumer needs, software development and more.
How to upskill
It’s apparent that upskilling is beneficial to both the employee and employers, but how do you accomplish it?
Identify your learning goals. First, identify gaps in your current knowledge. For example, are there certain tasks you don’t fully understand, you often need help with, or could be more specialized in? Use these as your starting point for areas of improvement.
Seek professional development opportunities. Many organizations offer free internal professional development training (e.g., in-person workshops, training, or self-paced eLearning). Some organizations will even pay for employees to attend external training. Connect with your HR department or supervisor to discover what opportunities are available to you.
Find a mentor. For many, learning directly from someone is the most beneficial learning method. Ask a more experienced supervisor or coworker if you can learn more from them. Many workers are more than happy to offer help when asked!
Online resources. With the internet, thousands of resources are available at our fingertips. Many eLearning courses are free, easily searchable, and unique to the skills you hope to target.
Did you know that CharityVillage offers a variety of affordable eLearning courses geared specifically to the nonprofit sector? Our curriculum includes courses on event management, leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion to name a few. Browse our current course offering here.
Professional courses. While it is the priciest option, sometimes it may be beneficial to enroll in a formal learning environment. This includes taking a course at university, participating in a seminar, or gaining a new certification.
Should you upskill?
Yes, everyone should consider upskilling! Whether you are content in your career, or intent on shifting positions, upskilling offers a wide array of opportunities that will help you better navigate the changing workforce.
Happy learning!
