You might have come across the term “upskilling”, the process of taking your current skills and knowledge to a new level. Whether you’re looking to improve on your skill shortages, change careers, get promoted or simply want to learn new skills—generally at a fraction of the cost and time—you’re in the right place.
Upskilling is not a new concept. Even before COVID-19, the rise of automation and new disruptive technologies was transforming the workforce at a rapid pace, calling for an urgent demand of upskilling and reskilling (World Economic Forum 2021). Now, with the effects of the pandemic, there has been an accelerated need for action. Learners like yourselves can benefit from the unique opportunity to be a part of this learning revolution.
There are many benefits of upskilling to you, and also, to your employer. In this article, we’ll walk through a number of best practices to help you upskill for future job prospects—right at your fingertips.
If you’re looking to fast-track your learning journey without breaking the bank, micro-credentials may be the right fit for you. This relatively new concept of learning has emerged to fulfil the urgent need for upskilling and retraining in the evolving workforce. These short credentials are generally offered in chunks whereby learners and working professionals are able to update their skills and knowledge without enrolling into a formal degree.
Certified short courses can be quite valuable as they are flexible, affordable and high in demand for industries.
See the range of micro-credential courses offered by OpenLearning here.
No matter what role or field you work in, staying on top of the latest updates in your industry can help provide you with opportunities for growth and give you a competitive edge. Staying up to date with industry news can be as easy as subscribing to news channels, online/offline publications and social media related to your field.
Stay up to date with OpenLearning’s latest blogs here.
Stay alert: read, listen and watch. With the digital world, there is a vast amount of information feeding through each channel, and it can be overwhelming. Find the time and channels that suit you best.
Another great way to engage with others without sacrificing quality is to take part in webinars. These webinars make life easier for you because you can attend without the cost of travelling, especially with the current COVID pandemic.
Explore OpenLearning’s vast library of webinars here.
Participating in webinars will allow you to gain new sources of information from industry leaders and peers, paving the way for you to network with others by asking questions, taking polls and taking part in activities. Not only that, but you’ll also have lifetime access to the learnings. Unlike physical events, webinars generally include recordings after they have ended, so you can access them as many times as you like.
We’ve all been there—it can be tempting to slack off or easily disregard moments when you encounter your own shortcomings in a role. However, tracking your own performance is one of the most important traits to hold yourself accountable. Accountability leads to consistency and consistency is fundamental to reaching your goals.
Learn how to keep track of your performance with OpenLearning’s courses here.
Whether it be self-monitoring your performance by taking notes, asking questions regularly or proactively setting time with your manager, there are a number of ways for you to solicit feedback. It is essential to develop this habit and pinpoint areas where you can improve and upskill.
Last but not least, building on your current skills and knowledge can be as simple as seeking mentoring from friends or colleagues. Mentoring can be helpful for improving your interpersonal and conceptual skills.
Some benefits of mentoring include gaining useful behavioural feedback, obtaining support in your personal development as well as exploring opportunities to advance in your career.
Learn more about mentorship programs and why you should join one here.
It’s never too late to jump on the bandwagon and upgrade your skills! With these best practices in mind, it makes sense to expand your skill set, as much and as often as you can, and have fun while you’re at it.
Are you ready to upskill today? Now that you’re armed with the best practices, it’s the perfect time to get started on your lifelong journey! Join millions of other learners and read our blog to find out Why These Lifelong Learners are Upskilling Online.
For Learners
OpenLearning is an online learning platform that enables anyone around the world to create, market, and sell online courses to over 2 million people (and growing!) worldwide.
Topics: Professional Development
