Upskilling is about learning new skills to be better at your current job and in your current career path. This differs from reskilling - when you learn new skills for a different job or function.
Upskilling has been popular in the workplace for years, however the pandemic really accelerated this for many, with some choosing to utilise their spare time with free online courses, or taking government upskilling programmes.
For employees, upskilling can lead to career advancement, higher salaries, and increased job satisfaction. Taking initiative in your career is also a great selling point on your CV. Here’s how you can get started upskilling in your current role:
Goal setting: Start by identifying what skills or knowledge you would like to develop. Consider your current role and any future career aspirations you may have. This will help you determine which areas you should focus on. For example if your current role is a Content Marketer but you’d like to work as a Growth Manager in the near future, the knowledge that you might like to develop could be around performance marketing.
Talk to your manager: Schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss your development goals. Your manager can help you identify opportunities for growth within your current role or suggest potential paths for career advancement within the organisation. Larger companies may have clear paths outlined for advancement, whereas there may be less availability in smaller businesses.
Seek out training opportunities: talk to your manager or HR about what is available within your current role. This could be formal certified training that is part of your personal development plan, or something less formal e.g. having a mentor. If there are no training opportunities in your company, look for opportunities to attend workshops, seminars, or webinars that align with your development goals outside of work.
Take on new projects: Volunteering for new projects or assignments can provide opportunities to develop new skills or gain experience in areas outside of your current role. Speak with your manager or colleagues about projects that may be a good fit for you. Make sure you have capacity to take on other projects without it impacting your existing deliverables.
Find a mentor: Having a mentor can be a great way to learn from someone who has experience in your desired area of growth. Seek out a mentor within your organisation, either through a formal mentorship program or informally through networking. If these don’t exist, seek out an ex-manager or someone in your field that you look up to.
Look for resources that align with your goals and interests, and commit to dedicating time each week to learning: There are many online resources available for upskilling, such as online courses, podcasts, and blogs. One such example is Google Career Certificates, a flexible, self-paced training programme that prepares users for careers in high-growth fields such as Data Analytics and Project Management. LinkedIn can be a great place to find online courses and to see what other people have taken up.
Attend conferences or networking events: Attending industry conferences or networking events can provide opportunities to learn from experts in your field and make connections with others in your industry.
Remember, upskilling can be a lifelong process and isn’t necessarily always linked to getting a promotion. Ultimately, you are developing yourself which will benefit you and your organisation, and it is also a great way to stand out for future roles.
