Why You Should Upskill

The workforce is constantly evolving and no matter what industry you’re in, it’s sure to experience some form of continuous growth or change. The concept of upskilling aims to make employees better at their current jobs, more adaptable to change and qualified for promotions. Upskilling is essentially the key to future-proofing your career. It can include filling the gaps in your experience, as well as trade recognition, which certifies the skills and experience you’ve gained through an apprenticeship.

Upskilling starts with a free skills check to establish where you’re at and the most suitable pathway forward. Firstly, let’s take a look at why you should upskill and the benefits it will have on your career.

Make yourself more valuable to employers

The most valued employees are those who are an asset to their company now and in the future. Workers who upskill or seek trade recognition are more efficient, develop stronger leadership qualities and perform better overall. In addition, upskilling conveys an eagerness to learn new skills, which is highly regarded by employers.

Earn more money

Upskilling is a useful tool in negotiating a pay rise at work. It allows you to prove your worth with a formal qualification and will give you the best chance of achieving the outcome you desire.

It creates more opportunities

A promising and fulfilling career is one that’s filled with new opportunities to grow, both professionally and personally. Upskilling helps to gain this momentum and will ensure new opportunities present themselves as you develop more experience in your field of work.

Discover a new passion

You may not realise you love something until you’ve given it a go! Upskilling creates an opportunity to learn new skills and gain knowledge in areas you may not have pursued otherwise.

It keeps your resume relevant

There’s nothing worse than dusting off your resume in preparation for your next job hunt, only to realise it comes across as a little outdated. Upskilling ensures your experience is up to date and relevant for the job market you intend to break into.

How can you upskill?

Upskilling can involve dedicating some time to education and training, or it can be as simple as creating a portfolio and having your current skills and experience nationally recognised with a formal qualification.

Where do you start?

Set goals

Before you dive into upskilling, it’s important to have a vision of what your career path looks like. Is there a certain skill you want to master? Or is there a promotion at work you need a qualification to achieve? Having some clear objectives will help to identify the gaps you need to fill.

Determine your suitability for RPL

Your suitability for RPL will be determined by the industry you work in, the type of qualification you’re seeking and any relevant formal or informal prior learning you’ve gained in the workforce. You can take our free skills check to see if you’re eligible for an RPL assessment.

Build your portfolio

This involves gathering all relevant documentation to prove the skills and experience you have. Your portfolio will be assessed by one of our partner RTOs to ensure you meet the requirements of the qualification you’re seeking.

Receive your qualification

Once your portfolio has been reviewed and if deemed competent by the assessor, you’ll receive your nationally recognised qualification. If our relevant partner RTO identifies gaps in your experience, you’ll be required to upskill in those areas before you receive your qualification.

The process of upskilling is beneficial to individuals in every field of work. Whether you require trade recognition, a Certificate or Diploma to land that promotion, or you simply want to expand your skill set to become an asset to your employer; upskilling is the key to consistent and rewarding career progression. When should you upskill or seek a qualification? If you have the time, budget and motivation; there’s no better time than the present. Get in touch with our team to find out if you can fast track your qualification through RPL.

FAQ'S

What is upskilling?

Upskilling promotes the continuous learning and development of employees through training programs, development opportunities and formal qualifications. It aims to improve an employee’s skillset and target any gaps in their experience.

How do I upskill myself?

You can approach upskilling on a personal level by working on developing certain qualities. For example, you could set goals to work on communication skills, decision making, organisation or adopting an optimistic attitude.

You can also look for learning opportunities at work, or speak to your manager about shadowing someone with the skillset you’re working towards.

How important is upskilling?

Upskilling is highly beneficial to both employees and employers. It improves the skills and knowledge of an employee to ensure they remain highly competent in their position, amidst a constantly evolving workforce.

How does upskilling benefit an organisation?

Upskilling helps to reduce employee turnover by facilitating promotions within the company. There are many benefits to employee retention, and upskilling is a smaller investment than inducting a new employee into the workplace. Employers who upskill their team are able to boost morale and maintain an efficient and highly skilled workforce.