Reskilling and Upskilling: A choice or a must for success ?
“Champions are brilliant at the basics.” This timeless insight from coach John Wooden reminds us that mastery begins with a strong foundation. Whether on the court or in the workplace, the most successful individuals and teams constantly refine and practice their skills. With increasingly complicated job qualifications, staying ahead of the curve requires more than just adapting. It means committing to ongoing learning and development. Reskilling and upskilling have become essential strategies to ensure that we not only keep track with change but also lead the way.
In this newsletter, we’ll explore how embracing these strategies can help you remain competitive, relevant, and equipped for success in an evolving landscape.
What is Upskilling ?
Upskilling is a training designed to increase existing skills in order to allow the continuation of the same job, or the same field of activity, in a context of personal development, getting new managerial roles, or simply to remain competitive in the workforce.
👉 For example: A graphic designer learning Adobe InDesign to improve their ability to create professional layouts for print.
We’ve all heard the term 'talent shortage.' This growing gap between the skills needed and the talent available in the labor market is why upskilling becomes more important when recruitment is too difficult (and too expensive 🤫). This is also the case when you want to act in a socially responsible way, preserve employment and capitalize on the corporate culture and skills of people who are already there. Upskilling approaches are therefore aimed at anticipating the risks of obsolescence of skills, and at successfully changing skills.
What is Reskilling ?
Reskilling, or requalification, addresses a need within the company. The concept is : the employer focuses on the soft skills in the first place, or personal qualities, of the future employee when hiring, based on the assumption that a missing technical skill can be learned. The new hire will then be trained in the necessary know-how for their role.
It can also involve an employee already working in the company. If their job becomes obsolete, for example, due to automation of their position or a new direction taken by the company, they may benefit from reskilling to learn new skills that will enable them to take on another role within the company. This is a way for the employer to avoid letting go of valuable employees who already understand the company's operations and values.
👉 For example: A manufacturing worker transitioning to a role in logistics by learning inventory management and supply chain logistics.
In addition to allowing the company to recruit for positions that lack qualified candidates, reskilling offers several advantages for job seekers or employees looking to change roles, either by choice or necessity.
What makes it so important?
It's AI (again 😄), but, among other factors, automation has also made the job scene more difficult, not to mention the skill gap.
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Even though 47% of jobs are at risk of being automated in the coming decades (source: ATD), automation is not the primary driver of upskilling or reskilling policies. These initiatives are more often triggered by a diagnosis of skill gaps, risks to the sustainability of core business competencies, the need to address new technologies, and the evolving demands of clients and organizations.
The expected benefits include better talent retention, improved performance, and successful transformation. Companies must enhance their competitiveness by investing in strategic skills, whether through the upskilling/ reskilling of current employees or recruitment—while also ensuring the employability of their workforce.
From an employee perspective, reskilling presents a valuable opportunity to explore new career paths, enabling individuals to transition into burgeoning fields or roles that may have previously seemed out of reach. This process is particularly beneficial for those seeking a change in their professional trajectory or grappling with the obsolescence of their current positions. By acquiring new skills, employees can enhance their employability and adapt to the evolving job market, ultimately fostering greater job satisfaction and career fulfillment.
🔎Overview on the most in demand skills in 2024/2025 :
Driven by technological advancements and shifting industry needs, in 2024 and 2025, certain skills are particularly sought-after by employers. This section will provide an overview of the most in-demand skills across various sectors : From Interpersonal skills with mastering how to communicate and collaborate effecientely, to becoming proficient in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
So what challenges have you faced in reshaping your skills? and how can organizations better support their employees' reskilling and upskilling efforts?
👉 Share your thoughts with us in the comments 🗨️
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