Prepare for Future Growth With Upskilling and Reskilling
Every day is something new. New technologies, changes to some social media platform’s algorithm, a new way that search engines rank pages, new tools that change the way we work, new attitudes that change the way we work together, new software to learn.
It can be a challenge for a small business to find people already expert in the new technology and techniques that will help a business grow. That’s where reskilling and upskilling come in. Providing growth opportunities to your staff will help close those skill gaps brought on by the talent shortage, making for a more resilient business.
From an employee’s point of view, part of the draw of working for a small business is the opportunity for professional growth. For those who relish novelty, the thought of taking on new and different responsibilities, expanding one’s field of expertise, and growing more confident every day is exciting. Upskilling and reskilling can be a draw for your company when recruiting–and a way to reinvigorate the passion of longtime employees.
Upskilling
Upskilling is the practice of continuous training and development within an organization. Current employees are given the opportunity to expand their skills. It’s tough to find the exact employee your business needs right now. The right kind of upskilling can turn a current employee into exactly the one you’ve been looking for. Whether you’re lacking technical skills or soft skills like teamwork or problem solving, chances are you can find them within your organization. They’re just waiting for the opportunity to develop.
Reskilling and Cross-Training
A small business owner often has to wear many hats; they need employees who can do the same. While upskilling helps an employee master new skills relevant to their current role, reskilling provides them with the training to take on an entirely new one. Reskilling is beneficial to your business in a few ways. It gives you a flexible team who can take on whatever challenges come your way.
Employees who remain in their current roles may benefit from cross-training. Even if they rarely use the new skills they gain, cross-training will give these employees a deeper, more holistic understanding of how all the parts of a business fit together. This greater awareness could transform the way they work. A packaging designer will design better packaging and a technical writer will write better instruction manuals if they have an understanding of the product designer’s job, for instance.
A Powerful Recruiting Tool
While the focus so far has been on the importance of upskilling and reskilling for developing your current staff, the prospect of continuous growth and development can also be a selling point for potential employees. Job seekers don’t just want a paycheck; they want to do meaningful work in an environment where they feel respected and valued. Investing in your employees through professional development shows them that you care about their careers and that you believe in their ability to learn and grow and take on greater responsibility. Few people are content to do the same work day in, day out. Upskilling and reskilling opportunities could provide the spark of novelty that many people need to be happy.
Employee Growth Feeds Business Growth
You invest in new software, new hardware, and new tools for the shop floor knowing that money invested now will become money earned later. Invest in your employees in the same way. When employees grow, businesses grow with them. And when businesses face challenges, employees with diverse skill sets rise to them.
