In the fast-paced job market of today, it’s more important than ever to remain competitive and relevant in your field. New technologies are evolving, and so are careers, so people need to adapt. Which then brings us to upskilling and reskilling; two of the most important ways to get ahead as well as grow personally and professionally. But what is meant by these terms — and which is best for you? Here’s a closer look at the differences between upskilling and reskilling, and what each can do for your career and professional development.
What is Upskilling?
Upskilling is learning new skills or enhancing your existing expertise to help you do your job better or to prepare you for the next step in your career. It’s a matter of further developing your skills or keeping tabs on industry trends. Upskilling becomes especially important when your current job is changing and you need to keep pace by learning new tools, technologies, or methods in your field.
For example, if you are a project manager, upskilling could include studying the newest project management software or getting certified in high-level project management techniques. This is a good way to get better in your function and even be considered for promotion or new job opportunities within your company.
Proactively looking for career development, it’s about being ahead of the curve — always having an eye toward the future and focusing on how you can get ahead. In the fast-paced professional landscape of today, ensuring you stay on top of your game in your particular industry through upskilling can make all the difference for vying for higher-paid roles or pay raises.
What is Reskilling?
Where upskilling is about improving skills you already have, reskilling is about learning completely new skills to pursue a new role or even an entirely new career. Reskilling becomes important when your job, which has been made irrelevant by technology or organizational changes, or market shifts, is no longer viable. The gap year can also be a way to explore new interests and career opportunities.
If you work in a traditional manufacturing job and your sector is becoming more automated, for example, reskilling may mean preparing to take on a new position in technology, such as working with robotics or becoming proficient in data analysis. Likewise, if you work in marketing and find that digital marketing skills are in increasing demand, reskilling could involve learning something like search engine optimization, social media strategy, or data analytics to pivot the trajectory of your career.
Reskilling requires longer training or education than upskilling, but the payoff can be high. It creates new career opportunities and allows you to reinvent yourself professionally. Indeed, some companies invest in programs that retool staff to take on new roles as the needs of the company develop.
Which One Is Best for Your Career Development?
The choice between upskilling and reskilling very much depends on where you are in your career, what your goals are, and what type of industry you’re in. Here’s how to decide which may be right for you:
Examine Where You Are Now and What’s Trending
If your job is still changing and expanding at a rate that matches your skills, upskilling may be the way to go. For instance, if you work in IT and new programming languages are becoming vital, upskilling means you can expand your knowledge within the same field you are in.
If you’re in an industry, that’s experiencing rapid changes, such as a move from brick-and-mortar retail to online, or from labor-based work to more automation, reskilling might be the key to future-proofing your career. So it makes sense to understand the direction your industry is going and to estimate whether you will still have a job in a few years or whether a career change will be more likely.
Career Growth and Advancement
Another option is current career upskilling, a favourite of people who are looking for a professional promotion in their current job. With further education or credentials, you will be a better resource for your company and more likely to get promoted.
If you need a total clean slate or have a hankering to work in a field with more long-term growth and job satisfaction, then reskilling just might be the answer. It can serve as a gateway to a whole new set of professional opportunities that provide an opportunity to pivot to a high-demand field, like data science, cybersecurity, or digital marketing.
Not About Work
Upskilling is perfect for people who want to remain in their existing jobs but need a professional push. It adds to your experience and keeps you stimulated by presenting fresh challenges in your industry. But if you’ve always hankered to do something different, or move into an industry that better fits with your interests and values, the gift of reskilling is the freedom to see what else is out there.
Conclusion
Upskilling and reskilling are two key methods of professional development and career progression. Each path, be it going deeper into what you already know or switching to another industry, has its advantages. As long as you understand where you want to take your career, keep up with what’s happening in your industry, and invest in your ongoing education, you can make smart decisions suited to a job market that’s always changing.