When was the last time you updated your professional skills and knowledge? It’s important to consider how you’re approaching your professional development and whether you’ve embraced a lifelong approach to learning. Committing to upskilling and reskilling can help you stand out when you’re applying for new jobs and promotions and staying ahead of the curve can help you excel in the world of work.
Read on to learn more about how engaging in online learning can help you stay ahead of the curve and how you can upskill and reskill through bootcamps, short courses and work experience!
How does upskilling and reskilling benefit both the employees and the company?
Upskilling and reskilling doesn’t just benefit you as an employee – it also benefits your employer. If you’re working somewhere that focuses on professional development, then making the most of these opportunities can help you move up the career ladder. If you’re working in fast-moving industries like the
technology sector, then professional development is especially useful as it can help you stay on top of new software, new methodologies and new skills. There’s never a bad time to complete further study.
As an employee, upskilling and reskilling can help you move into
new roles, increase your responsibilities at work and achieve a greater sense of job satisfaction. Whether you’ve just moved industries, or you’ve been in the one role for a while, further study can help you try new things and work out where your interests truly lie. Gaining new job-ready skills and knowledge can help you make the most of your career.
Upskilling and reskilling also benefits companies. It’s a way to increase employee retention and engagement, meaning you can hire and retain the best talent. The
Center for American Progress found through case studies thar replacing a trained employee can cost up to 213% of their annual salary. If you’re a business that’s looking to maximise profitability and productivity, investing in your employees’ professional development can help you cultivate an engaged and happy workforce that can consistently meet and exceed their targets while becoming more united than ever.
Can you upskill and reskill through work experience?
In addition to further study (which we’ll touch on later), you can also upskill and reskill through work experience. Talking to those in your network (whether they’re co-workers or work elsewhere) can help you complete internships that’ll help you upskill, or help you pick up extra responsibility at work that’ll help you learn new skills and hone existing ones.
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Some of the ways upskilling and reskilling through work experience can benefit you include:
- A chance to shift industries and/or roles into a career that you may find more rewarding
- You may become more valuable to your current employee
- Adding a new dimension to your work can renew your interest in your role
- You can make an increased salary in line with your increased responsibilities
You may also want to upskill in other ways at work, including formal and informal mentoring sessions, collaborative feedback sessions, conferences and networking events and webinars. These work-focused activities can help you get ahead in the world of work and learn from your peers, as well as network and connect with people who can help provide you with professional opportunities
What should you consider when upskilling and reskilling for career development?
Career development shouldn’t be something that you do on a whim. Instead, you should carefully consider every career move you make so you can get maximum return for the time you’re investing into your professional development.
Some tips that’ll help you stay ahead of the curve when you’re looking to upskill and reskill for career development include:
- Think about where you see yourself in the short, medium and long-term
- Write down a list of the tasks/responsibilities you enjoy when you’re at work
- Talk with your peers about what the future of your industry looks like
- Talk to your employers about what skills they may look for going forward
- Research what technologies may become integral to how you complete your job
- Plan how can you specialise in your field so you can move up the career ladder
- Start mapping out what courses may teach you the skills/knowledge that’ll help you get ahead
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It’s important to be honest with yourself when you’re looking to complete some career development. Assess where you currently excel at work, and where you could stand to improve. Upskilled’s range of
nationally recognised qualifications can help you get ahead no matter what industry you’re in, and you’ll get the chance to complete practical assessments that give you the confidence to apply your skills and knowledge at your current or future job as soon as you graduate.
Need someone to bounce ideas off, but don’t know who you should turn to for advice? Talking to an education consultant can help you decide on what course/s you should be completing to stay ahead of the curve in the world of work. If you’re looking to discuss your education, reach out to Upskilled’s education consultants and start thinking about your next career move.
If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, then it’s important to spot trends as they’re emerging. Upskilled’s SkillsTalk blog provides helpful tips and tricks to help you make the most of your time in the world of work, and it’s a useful resource for anyone that’s looking to make their next career move. You can visit the SkillsTalk blog here!
Ben Madden
Ben Madden is a Melbourne-based writer, who loves all things music and sport. He’s a long-time and long-suffering Essendon supporter, and if you’re looking for any music recommendations, he’s your guy.