In this digital world, the "right" skill is the key to an individual's career growth and success. The right skill gives an edge to the employee while upgrading their overall value in an organization. We live in an era where technologies like Big data and Cloud have become business necessities. Hence, having the right talent has become more critical than ever in order to keep up with the pace of technological advancement.
 
In 2017, a survey was conducted by CareerBuilder which showed that more than two-thirds of employers are worried over growing skills gaps. And over half of those surveyed have seen a negative impact on their companies due to the extended job vacancies. This shows that upskilling employees is the mantra for retaining employees, helping them grow, and ensuring a better future for the company.
 
So, let us look at a few tips on how employers can entice their employees to stay while mitigating a widening skill gap and ensuring their training remains updated and relevant in the ever-changing marketplace?
 
Make training opportunities available.
 
With the introduction of mobile learning, learners now have the choice of learning on any device at any time. A mobile LMS app empowers learners to learn on the go and even seek support at the time of need. Hence, an offline LMS app goes a long way in providing uninterrupted, seamless training even when there is limited or no internet connectivity.
 
Accommodate different learning styles.
 
Some people prefer sitting in a traditional classroom with their trainer while some prefer walking through courses online. Others may prefer microlearning which can boost their knowledge with quick burst-learning, like watching 10-minute videos covering topics in small increments. Providing content with different learning styles will engage the maximum number of employees.
 
Also, an approach like gamification goes a long way in motivating learners in a healthy and competitive manner, encouraging them to put their newly acquired skill sets into practice.
 
Reward employees for their upskilling efforts.
 
Motivation is the key! Reward your employees with incentives on completing their training, to reinforce its importance. Positive recognition leads to a happier and more productive workforce.
 
What are the benefits of Upskilling?
 
Enhanced Productivity
Digital upskilling is of utmost importance for an organization. Since, if the workforce is not on the same page as the organization when it comes to technology, the productivity of the organization is bound to go down.
 
Employee Retention
Due to the technologies upgrading every day, the demand for skilled employees is greater than the supply. Companies cannot find qualified candidates to fill vacancies. Hence, organizations need to focus on upskilling and re-training current workers instead of hiring new employees. Companies that invest in upskilling for their employees are more likely to attract employee allegiance and have them stick back for longer.
 
Employee Engagement
Upskilling is a great way to engage employees and ensure that they are more motivated enough to give their best.
 
Some may argue that the speed at which technologies are transforming has rendered traditional college degrees obsolete. Although it is a pretty strong statement, it is certainly true that a college education is no longer enough to get you through your entire career. Rather, we all need to embrace lifelong learning and adaptability, so that upskilling is an integral part of how we approach our jobs.
 
Nobody exactly knows what skills the future will demand but a growth mindset can spell the difference between keeping current with the latest shifts instead of struggling to catch up. To ensure that your new hires have the skills your organization requires, it is critical to invest in learning and development from the very first day, even for employees who have just entered the workforce. From programming languages to personal development, continuous learning is only going to make foster an agile and innovative workforce.