Upskilling and Reskilling Adult Workers
As the job market continues to evolve, it’s becoming increasingly important for adult workers to continuously improve their skills. This process is commonly referred to as “upskilling” or “reskilling.” Upskilling involves learning new skills. That is relevant to your current job or industry. While reskilling involves learning entirely new skills that will allow you to pursue a different career path. With the rapid pace of technological change, upskilling and reskilling have become critical for adult workers to remain competitive in the job market. By investing in their own education and skills development, workers can enhance their employability. As well as increase their earning potential, and improve their overall job satisfaction.
In fact, UK studies show that almost 60% of workers say they don’t have the skills necessary for the coming years. And almost 30% of workers haven’t participated in workplace training. So how can we fix this? We’re going to go into detail about how you can upskill yourself and why it’s important!
Upskilling Factors?
The figures we’ve shared indicate that there is a huge need for upskilling and reskilling. But what are the contributing factors? One issue could be presented as that the existing job roles aren’t letting workers use their existing skills. Unfortunately, there has also been a drop in employee training, and employer-funded training. As employers are not investing in employee training and are focusing on bringing outside sources in. Whereas they could invest in their current employee training to keep it in-house and not have to find an external source.
The Government and employers have concluded that employee training is important, but the statistics just aren’t adding up. As there is no practical action being taken to show that they are putting in the effort for training. Meaning that they’re limiting workers’ progression and development. There needs to be more attention on the aspect of upskilling for adult workers, as it can have many benefits for the person, business and societal progression.
Staying Relevant
As workers, it’s extremely important that we stay up-to-date and relevant in a technologically advanced world. It needs to be a continuous process, you cant just upskill every few years. With how fast technology is advancing even once a year isn’t enough! It might be hard to start it. But don’t worry, we’ve got a few ways in which you can start your upskilling journey!
Stay Plugged in
Let’s start with a pretty easy one, to begin with. Everyone uses social media, from Facebook to LinkedIn. We’re all connected in some way. This is a great way to keep up with your industry. By following industry leaders and relevant speakers. You can do this by connecting with them on LinkedIn or joining a group page. Watching Youtube videos and TED talks to get a bit more industry insight.
You can also attend events such as seminars or webinars. Read articles or listen to industry Podcasts. You can even seek out coaching or mentorships. There is something for everyone!
Ask for more work opportunities
If you can and have the capacity at work, don’t be afraid to ask for more jobs and opportunities. This can show initiative to your employer and that you want to learn and upskill. You can even take on projects outside of your usual work, as it can be a great way to develop new skills. If you’re working on a project with other people in other departments, this is another great way to learn new skills and enhance your collaboration and problem-solving skills. As well as improving working with other team members.
You need to be proactive about this though. You can go to your line manager about it, and ask them if you can take on more responsibilities or a project. Alternatively, you can identify an area which has a gap in the company and how it can benefit from some attention and how you can solve it. Make sure to think about your workload and capacity, as you don’t want to stretch yourself so thin it backfires.
Industry/Relevant Courses
Completing industry or relevant courses outside of work is also a really good way to gain new knowledge and skills. Before you fully commit to a course, you need to make sure that it is relevant to your industry. Sometimes short courses are ideal. They can be affordable as well. There are also some great tutorials online, such as using software. You should also utilise Youtube because it can be your best friend. Everything is readily accessible to you online so all you need to do is look for it. You can also source free courses as well.
Career Mapping
Career mapping can help you develop a plan to help your career and focus on upskilling and reskilling yourself. Making your effort more precise and effective. It’s a tool which helps you plan where you want to go. By creating goals and what you need to do to achieve them. It’s also easy to change when your industry changes and new technology is available. This is why it’s essential to have a career mapping and plan.
Employer supported study
If you want your employer to pay for a specialist course, you need to be able to explain why it will benefit you. As well as what you will learn. Bringing in any new skills and knowledge to the business should be the whole point of your pitch for the course. Make sure you do your research to find out where the skill trends are heading in your industry, to make sure that the skills you learn will be relevant and stay around for a while. Think about any courses that may build on your existing skills to help boost your position.
Become an Assessor
Becoming an Assessor is also great for professional development! In order to improve the skills and knowledge you already have. You can also become an Assessor if you want career progression. If you want to stay in the company you already work for but are looking for a promotion. It’s great to have an Assessor in-house, rather than sourcing outside. Being an assessor means you are qualified to assess learners and take them through their apprenticeship. Regardless of the industry, there will be someone taking a qualification somewhere. Where they need someone to assess it.
There are also many different benefits of becoming one! Such as flexible working, if you want to reduce your hours you can when you become an Assessor. As well as an increase in pay. Quite a lot of assessors do get an increase in wage, which is brilliant if you want to have a bit more money in the bank.
If you have any questions about becoming an Assessor please get in contact with our great course advisory team at 01205 805 155 and they would be happy to help!