It has become somewhat a buzzword of late, but upskilling isn’t a phase or a fad. Learning new skills is a vital move to keep you ahead of the demands of your chosen industry and to safeguard your future employability. It also provides a fantastic opportunity for professional development and can open doors to career opportunities you otherwise may not have considered or even been aware of.
Still not convinced of the benefits of upskilling? Let’s check out some of the professional and personal perks of upgrading your career toolkit.Â
#1 Score that promotionÂ
Upskilling is a sure fire way to increase your chances of successfully landing a promotion. If your new knowledge and capabilities are vital to the future growth of the organisation, they won’t go unnoticed. Prove how your skill-set can impact the bottom line of the company and make yourself an appealing candidate.Â
If you’re unsure what to upskill in, consider where there might be skill gaps within the company you’re going for the promotion with, and get training in them. Knowing what kind of technology is driving innovation in your industry can also guide your training choices. By taking a proactive approach you will empower yourself and fuel your career growth.
#2 Increase your job securityÂ
Having additional skills can give you an edge when it comes to corporate restructures. Technology is changing rapidly and it is impacting every industry in different ways, including yours. If you want to stay relevant, adaptable and versatile – upskilling is the ticket.Â
Upskilling shows employers that you are serious about your career and willing to invest extra time and effort into keeping up and ahead of the needs of the business. Investing in your skills keeps you fresh and in-demand, resulting in higher job security. It can also show that you are solutions focused, proactive and motivated and not waiting for someone else to steer the course of your career.
#3 Improve your chances of employment
Adding the latest industry skills to your professional toolkit can make a huge difference to your chances of landing a great gig. Potential employers will see you’ve invested time and effort and your new skills may well get you on the interview shortlist.Â
If you have a particular job in mind that you’re after, it pays to scan the job descriptions to discover where you may have a skills gap. Use this information to help you find appropriate training to improve your job prospects. The right training program can also assist in reskilling and making transformative career changes.
#4 Renew your confidence and boost productivity
You used to feel competent and on the ball in your job. But as time has passed you’ve lost your mojo and you’re not quite sure how to get it back. It’s easy to lose enthusiasm at work and can happen for many reasons. Feeling like you’re not great at what you do anymore is a biggie and can impact on your self confidence. It’s common amongst those who have been out of the workforce for a time. Rest assured, there’s a way back to confidence and personal growth.Â
By upskilling you’re giving yourself the opportunity to focus on your own goals. When you start to apply new skills, you can begin to see that you are capable of more than you thought possible. This in turn can have a great impact on your self confidence, which can result in increased productivity. And let’s be clear – you don’t have to commit to a four year degree (unless you want to, of course). There are plenty of options for short term online courses for upskilling to get you into the arena.
#5 Give yourself more opportunities and increase job satisfaction
Have you already got a job in an industry you like, but you’re feeling a little stuck in the corner – not sure where to go next? Take a look around at others you work with across all departments. Chances are you have transferable skills that could work in many areas.Â
Upskilling is not only about meeting ‘industry demands’ and filling skill gaps. It’s as much about you discovering what you’re interested in. Let’s face it – you’re more likely to commit to a career and organisation if you actually like what you’re doing. The key here is to follow your curiosity.Â
Once you have some ideas of roles you’d like to pursue, find out which skills you need to gain, then look into the training opportunities that are available. Better still, find out if you can do an in-house secondment or placement to get a feel for the role or department. Your HR manager can help you put together a personal development plan to turn your learning and development goals into reality.Â
So there you have it. A solid set of reasons to seriously consider investing in upskilling.Â
Oh, and another thought, if you are currently working it would be worth discussing your interest in upskilling with your manager. The end of the financial year is nearing (how on Earth is it June already?!) and there’s every chance that there’s some unspent training budget available. It’s worth asking, especially if you are also open to sharing your new-found knowledge with team mates once you’re done!Â
It’s also not the end of the world if your employer can’t sponsor your course, as you may be eligible to claim a deduction come tax time under self-education expenses. Make sure to consult with your tax accountant to be sure!Â
Whether you’re looking to completely transform your career, complement your existing skill-set or to simply quench your curiosity, check out our industry-recognised online courses in Design, Tech & Data, and Business & Marketing. No matter your learning preferences, work or life commitments, or support levels you require – we’ve got you covered.
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