What is upskilling and what are the challenges in training?

In a constantly changing world, businesses are facing rapid transformations, especially with technological advances and new ways of working. To remain competitive, they need to ensure that their teams have the skills they need to meet new challenges. This is where upskilling comes in, a term that is increasingly used in the field of training and human resources.

But what is upskilling and what are the training challenges it raises?

What is upskilling?

Upskilling, literally translated as “upskilling,” refers to the process of employees acquiring or developing new skills, so they can excel in their current position or move into more demanding roles within their company. Unlike reskilling, which consists in completely reorienting an employee to a new profession, upskilling aims to strengthen and enrich existing skills.

Why is upskilling crucial today?

1. Adapting to new technologies

One of the main reasons for the rise of upskilling is the emergence of new technologies. Automation, artificial intelligence and data analysis are transforming traditional jobs. For example, industrial production jobs are increasingly integrating robots and automated systems, requiring new technical skills, often obtained through field training or adapted software training.

2. Business competitiveness

Businesses that rely on upskilling are becoming more competitive. By investing in the development of the skills of their employees, they increase their productivity, reduce the costs associated with recruiting new talent and reduce turnover. An employee trained in new technologies or new practices in their sector is not only more efficient, but also more motivated and committed.

3. Talent retention

By providing learning and development opportunities for their employees, businesses increase their ability to retain their talent. Many professionals are now looking for organizations that allow them to continue to learn and evolve. Upskilling is therefore a key lever for attracting and retaining the best employees, especially in sectors where there is a shortage of qualified workers. An effective plan may include a onboarding process optimized, managerial training, customer training and commercial training to meet specific personal and professional development needs.

4. Risk management

With the rapidly changing job market, businesses that fail to adapt the skills of their employees take risks. A lack of appropriate skills can lead to a loss of productivity and a decrease in competitiveness. In the long term, this can even compromise the sustainability of the organization. Upskilling therefore makes it possible to protect the company against these risks by ensuring that employees are always up to date with the necessary skills, including those acquired through mandatory corporate training or regulatory training.

What are the main challenges of upskilling in training?

1. Identifying key competencies

Before implementing an upskilling strategy, it is essential to identify the skills that will be critical to the future of the business. This involves analysing market trends, technological developments and the specific needs of the organization.

A common mistake is to focus only on technical skills, while soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and change management are also critical. The development of these skills can be facilitated through Soft Skills eLearning adapted to the development of individual skills.

2. The personalization of training courses

One of the challenges of upskilling is to design training courses adapted to each employee. Not everyone has the same needs or the same skill level. It is therefore crucial to offer tailor-made training that meets the specific expectations of each employee, such as cross-skilling to extend transversal skills. This maximizes the effectiveness of learning and ensures that everyone can progress at their own pace.

3. Employee engagement

For an upskilling process to be effective, it is important that employees are fully committed. This requires clear communication on the benefits of skills development and the involvement of managers in the process. They play a key role in identifying the training needs of their teams and in encouraging the active participation of employees.

4. The choice of training tools

The success of upskilling is also based on the choice of teaching tools. Learning methods must be accessible, flexible and adapted to the rhythms of employees. This is where solutions like Didask come in, which make it possible to create personalized and interactive learning paths, focused on the acquisition of skills specific to each sector. An adapted education and training LMS is also crucial to allow regular and automated monitoring of progress.

How does Didask make upskilling easy?

Didask is a platform dedicated to online learning that is distinguished by its innovative pedagogical approach. Thanks to technology based on cognitive sciences, Didask offers training courses adapted to the needs of companies and employees.

Here is how Didask supports companies in their upskilling process:

1. Customized training courses
2. Scenario-based learning
3. Ongoing skills assessment
4. Accessibility and flexibility

Upskilling is a major challenge for businesses that want to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world. By investing in the development of the skills of their employees, they are giving themselves the means to adapt to new market requirements, while retaining their talents. Solutions like Didask make it possible to meet these challenges by offering training courses that are adapted, effective and rooted in the real needs of each organization. In addition, upskilling contributes to a real cultural transformation in business, by placing learning and development at the heart of the strategy.