Upskilling or Reskilling your Employees

As a result of the emerging new business climate in a post-Covid environment, many jobs have had to adapt into a new structure. Since many businesses have found themselves in a more digitised environment or in jobs that have been retrenched, there’s a growing need for skilled individuals in other sectors to step up.

A heavy focus has been on reskilling or upskilling employees to assist in economic recovery. It’s no longer just a recommendation for employees to be multiskilled – it’s now more necessary than ever.

Reskilling and upskilling can take place in three ways:

• Formal learning, like at university or TAFE
• Non-formal learning (learning activities that don’t result in a certificate but do result in skills)
• Informal learning (learning from colleagues, supervisors etc)

This can then lead to either viable transitions in employment, or desirable transitions in employment.

• A viable job transition involves moving from one job to another that is highly similar in terms of required knowledge, skills, abilities, work activities, education levels and experience.
• A desirable transition for a job seeker or worker would result in higher wages in a field of work that is expanding rather than declining

There are many schemes available to employees and employers that can assist in upskilling. Employees may look into:

• Fee-free courses (such as those that are TAFE or university endorsed)
• Online workshops
• Short courses
• Certification (such as first aid or RSA)

Employers can also look into funding schemes from the government to help support their employees during this time.