The way we work is changing at an ever-faster pace – and if you don’t take the time to keep up, it’s easy to feel like you’re being left behind.

Upskilling is one of those buzzy career words you might hear being tossed around. Essentially, it means keeping your skill set up to date for the modern workplace. Upskilling could mean anything from learning how to use the latest version of Microsoft Office to learning how to code. But whatever the specific skill may be, upskilling is all about staying ahead of the curve and making yourself as competent and capable as you possibly can be.

The shortage of upskilling opportunities

Recent studies have shown that the importance of upskilling is growing as technology moves along at a faster pace. According to a recent WeForum report, 60% of workers will need additional training before 2027.

Of course, employers should take the lead when it comes to providing upskilling opportunities. However, reports suggest that many are not taking the urgent need for upskilling seriously. A 2022 report even suggested that we would soon see an epidemic of untrained workers after spending on upskilling fell by more than 25% between 2005 and 2019.

Should we all be prioritising upskilling?

Even though many employers seem to be failing to provide employees with adequate upskilling opportunities, there are a number of reasons why keeping up your skill set is important and might even be worth doing on your own time.

Caroline Green, a career development expert and founder of The Talent Cycle,  explains why upskilling matters for you:

It may help close the gender pay gap

Unfortunately, women earn, on average, less than their male counterparts. Upskilling can help put you in a position to ask for a pay rise.

“Upskilling can help women acquire in-demand skills and qualifications, making them more competitive,” Green says.

It’s a quick way to advance your career

If you find yourself feeling stuck in your position but you aren’t sure how to advance, upskilling can help prepare you for a more advanced role.

“This could be anything from taking on further responsibilities to pursuing leadership roles,” says Green.

It helps you remain relevant

“Whether it’s learning a new technology or a more innovative way of doing things, developing skills makes you essential to your company,” she says.

It enables entrepreneurship

Always wanted a side hustle business or a full-time business of your own? Upskilling is a great way to make this kind of entrepreneurship a possibility.

It keeps work and life exciting

“We never stop learning and growing and for women in particular, there is a lot in life that causes us to lose ourselves as we take on many other roles,” says Green. “Developing ourselves can be an opportunity to reimagine who we are and what we want from life.”

Upskilling: where to begin

So, you want to upskill. However, if your employer isn’t actively offering training opportunities where you can grow your skill set, it can be tricky (and time-consuming) to know where to start.

Green recommends looking to expand upon relevant skills in four of the most common areas:

Digital

We live in a tech/digital world and these are forever changing so it’s a good idea to keep up to date with these, especially as this can often be seen as more of a ‘man’s area of expertise’. Look to expand your skills in things like data analysis, digital marketing, coding, cyber security and data management.

‘Soft skills’

Things like good communication, leadership and managing emotional intelligence are all crucial skills that will never go out of fashion.

STEM skills

There are great opportunities in this sector for women as they try to balance the gender gap.

Cross-cultural competencies

The world is getting smaller, especially post-pandemic. Even sectors that didn’t traditionally go online have moved and offices have closed. Developing cross-cultural competencies will prove to be crucial for customer support and working with colleagues.

If you’re looking to make upskilling part of your routine, we recommend finding ways to build training into your schedule. Perhaps you listen to a weekly podcast where you can learn new things that will help you in your industry. Or, maybe, you find a useful YouTube channel. You might even invest in a short course to learn a new skill. Just remember, with upskilling, consistency and commitment is key – and it will definitely pay off in the long run.

Images: Getty