How can upskilling help to future-proof your career?

As the working world is constantly changing, it’s important to stay ahead of the game. Every industry is different, but all of them have their trends. As an employee, it’s vital that you stay up to date and make yourself aware of what the current in-demand skill sets are.

However, there are lots of reasons why modern professionals will put off the process of upskilling themselves. Whether they are too busy at work or at home, or they simply don’t have the desire to push themselves forward, other priorities mean it’s easy to put professional development on the back burner.

But a lack of upskilling is one of the key contributors to the worldwide skill shortage employers are now facing. Making the commitment to upskill yourself won’t just benefit you in your current position – it could help future-proof your career in a number of different ways. Let’s explore more.

What is upskilling?

Upskilling involves employees teaching themselves new skills, consequently expanding their knowledge and abilities within their field. It’s a process of continuous learning, helping to advance their career and add value to their contributions.

Businesses will often offer development opportunities to their employees, as it not only benefits the individual, but the company as a whole. Training their current staff can help to fill skill gaps, which could reduce the number of new hires they’ll need to recruit.

How can upskilling future-proof my career?

Creating a competitive edge

Developing new skills will set you apart from other workers, making you a more valuable asset to your current employer. Meaning when a promotion opportunity comes along, you’re significantly more likely to receive it. Not only are the skills themselves useful, but demonstrating a drive to continue to learn and develop is a valuable quality for employers.

Upskilling yourself also means that should the worst happen and the company needs to start laying people off, you have a much better chance of retaining your job. The added value that you provide to the business will put you ahead of your colleagues, giving them reason to keep you.

Beating technological advances

Even just over the past few years, technology has come a long way. Following the pandemic and the rise of remote working, many jobs now require a certain level of technical knowledge that previously they may not have.

This pattern is expected to persist as technology continues to advance, so now is the time to invest in digital upskilling. Do some research on what the latest technology is within your industry and consider how you can upskill yourself – there are courses available for all levels. Even if you consider yourself technically savvy, there will always be areas that you may be unfamiliar with.

The ability to work from anywhere

As previously mentioned, remote working is gradually becoming the new normal, with some believing it’s the future of the modern workplace. As a result, it’s beneficial to get an understanding of how businesses can operate remotely.

This means learning about the latest business communication platforms, what the expectations typically are and most importantly, how to confidently use a computer. The latter may not be a problem for some, but if it is, it’s vital that you embark on some training before you apply for any remote work. You will also need to be confident in using remote collaboration platforms such as the cloud. Not only will learning these skills push you forward in your current role, but they’ll also make you more appealing to prospective future employers.

Keeping up with the industry

The world is changing and as a result, so are businesses. You don’t want to be left behind, so it’s important to stay on top of your game. If you’re reading this article, you’re already one step closer to bettering yourself.

If you’re already employed, speak to your manager about completing some training. Most businesses are unlikely to decline, as your skill set directly benefits them. Particularly if you want to build a career within your current field, find out how you could better meet the needs of the market. No training is ever a waste of time, so get started on upskilling yourself today.