Why Upskilling is Important for a Future-Proof Career

Blog / May 8, 2023 / By

The world has quickly changed over the past few years, and so have the demands in the workplace. Your industry will keep on changing in able adapt to the fast-changing world.

As industries must conform to these changes, their people must adjust. Upskilling yourself is the way to go. Not doing so will disadvantage you, giving your company poor job performance and having fewer chances for promotion.

Some companies provide free training and seminars. But if you want to upskill on your own and you have the time to do so, especially now, with the change in how we work and spend our time, it is best to think about what upskilling could do to advance your career.

Read further to know more about what upskilling is and how you can upskill to further your career.

WHAT IS UPSKILLING?

Upskilling, by definition, is enhancing one’s skill through training, workshops, or seminars to narrow the skill gap and expand one’s knowledge and competency.

Companies must accommodate new roles to match the demands of digitalization through candidates with relevant skill sets. Employees need continuous learning to adapt to this fast-changing world where technology constantly diversifies.

Freelancers or individuals not employed in any company can also upskill through short courses, online courses, master’s degrees, or other training relevant to your career path.

BENEFITS OF UPSKILLING

Upskilling only has benefits, and you will not regret it, not even a bit. With the continuous changes in the digital age, more young, competent professionals are entering the labor market equipped with up-to-date knowledge. We in the workforce should not be complacent with our abilities and continue to improve our knowledge and skills to remain valuable to the company.

Upskilling only has benefits, and you will not regret it, not even a bit. With the continuous changes in the digital age, more young, competent professionals are entering the labor market equipped with up-to-date knowledge. We in the workforce should not be complacent with our abilities and continue to improve our knowledge and skills to remain valuable to the company.

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider upskilling:

  1. You remain valuable to the company.
    We all want to feel valued by the company we work for. Whether we like it or not, we are constantly under monitoring. Upskilling does not just benefit you but your employer as well. Nothing pleases a boss more than a reliable and skilled employee.
  2. Higher chances for promotion
    Upskilling is the best way to increase your value. Standing out among your peers and colleagues gives you the advantage of being on the priority list in getting a raise or promotion. This way, employers will see you as someone agile and hungry for self-development.
  3. Helps improve your productivity
    Learning new things gives you a new perspective. We all come to a point where we feel like we are not growing anymore because of the stagnant setup that we have created in our work life. The best way to break through this endless work cycle is by trying to do things differently than you usually do.
  4. Career opportunities
    Companies are consistently on the hunt for the best candidates in the job market. Those with relevant skill sets will always be superior to those with only the basic skills. Versatile applicants have a higher chance of getting offered a high salary or a more significant position than what they originally applied for.Upskilling also makes your career future-proof. With many things occurring in the world now, there is no guarantee that you can keep your job a few years from now. Learning new skills for a digital age will open more career opportunities for you.
  5. Personal development
    Lastly, upskilling yourself can boost your morale. You achieve professional and self-fulfillment by constantly improving yourself and learning new things. By continuously upskilling, you can keep your mind stimulated. Studies even show that keeping your mind active slows down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

GET STARTED WITH UPSKILLING


Now that you know the importance of upskilling, start by setting down your plan through this guide.

  1. Determine your goals.
    First and foremost, you must know your career goals. Do you want to climb the corporate ladder? Are you planning on a career shift? Looking into opportunities from other companies? You must determine your long-term and short-term goals to see if the learning direction you are looking into fits you.
  2. Find your skill gap.
    After settling with your goals, you find your knowledge gaps. One way to do this is by browsing some job postings for your desired position. You can check the job description and check out which required skills you lack or needs improvement on.Another way is to ask your employer or HR what skills they have recently been looking for in their candidates. Compare these to your existing skills and start planning.
  3. Establish your strategy.
    Once you discover your skill gaps, you can begin establishing your system for filling those gaps with proper education and training. There is much available training out there, depending on your budget. You can start by looking into free coaching webinars if you are not ready to shell out money.You can plan out a timetable for yourself using the available resources. If you are currently employed, you need to plan out how to make time for learning.
  4. Learn the skills.
    Once you have established your plan and are ready to upskill, it is time to learn. Don’t push yourself too hard, and enjoy the process. Remember your end goal and stay motivated until the end.
  5. Practice your new skills.
    What is learning without implementation? As you start learning, find opportunities to use what you have learned from the lessons you have attended.Try to test them in your office tasks or share them in a meeting to impress your team and make you stand out among your peers.

    If you don’t feel confident enough, try doing personal projects where you can apply your new skills.

  6. Stay up to date.
    Last but not least, never stop learning. Upskilling is neverending and requires continuous learning.Even if you have reached your goals, stay hungry for knowledge. Practice a beginner’s mind and remain open to new opportunities.

    Keep updated on technological advances and grow as the industry evolves.

WHAT CAN I UPSKILL?

  1. Digital
    One of the most necessary upskilling you need is digital upskilling. As we are in the digital age, new technology could pop up anytime, and so does the need for relevant skills. Some of the digital skills you can try are:
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Digital Marketing
    • Web Development
    • IT Support
    • UX/UI Design
    • Graphic Design
  1. Leadership
    If you are aiming for promotion, you can try seminars and boot camps to help you develop your leadership skills. There are online and offline resources available in the Philippines.A trained leader does well in managing the workforce. Someone good at decision-making, resilient, committed, motivated, and knows how to influence and empathize with subordinates.
  2. Personal Development
    Personal development is having the soft skills needed for the job. There are also online and offline classes available for this skill.Some of the soft skills you can improve are:
    • Public speaking
    • Collaboration
    • Adaptability
    • Emotional intelligence
    • Creativity
    • Work ethic
    • Active listening
  1. Analytics
    Analytical skills are for careers related to data science, statistics, research, and other similar positions. This skill is one of the most in-demand professions, especially in the remote working industry.Some of the analytical skills you must consider are:
    • Problem-solving
    • Inductive and deductive reasoning
    • Research
    • Data Science
    • Critical thinking
    • Digital business analysis
  1. Reskilling
    First things first, reskilling is different from upskilling. Reskilling is when an employee learns skills not related to their current occupation. If you want to change careers and seek a new skill set, that is reskilling.

WHERE CAN I FIND UPSKILLING OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Online Classes
    There are a lot of available resources online. You can check out the following websites for free and/or paid classes. They offer a variety of online courses from digital skills, technical skills, self-development, and many more:
    • LinkedIn Learning
    • Skillshop
    • Coursera
    • Udemy
    • Skillshare
    • HubSpot Academy
    • TESDA Online Program
  1. Long-term or Short-term training
    As the pandemic gradually eases throughout the country, physical gatherings are slowly returning, and in-person training is starting to open again. You can check on the internet for some available face-to-face training. You can also check here:
    • Check your employer if they have existing training or seminar you can join.
    • Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
    • Private institutions that provide paid skill training that you need.
  1. Boot camps
    Not all type of skills training requires boot camp. If you are aiming to develop your leadership skills, then trying leadership boot camps is best for you. Boot camps provide interactive and on-hand training from industry experts.
  2. Mentoring
    The fastest way to learn is by asking industry experts to coach you. Mentors have already gone through what you are going through, so they are the best ones to give you advice. They can help you connect with other professionals and widen your network. They are not just there to coach you but to give inspiration, challenge you, and cheer you on.
  3. Conferences
    Attending a conference is an excellent way to keep updated with recent updates in your industry. These conferences can last from one day to three days and are usually done annually. Here, you do not just learn but also meet people with similar interests.
  4. Volunteer work
    Now that you have the skills but don’t have the confidence to apply them in real life, you can try practicing them through personal projects or volunteer work. You can also try looking for an internship. This way, you can apply your new skills and at the same time learn new things.

Now that you have the fundamentals, all you need to do is to start. The benefits of upskilling are endless, and we must take the opportunity right now to grow and prepare for the uncertain future.

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