Why upskilling is important for IT industry

Upskilling is the process of teaching workers new skills. With every business in the spectrum facing disruption because of automation, upskilling is the only solution to help cope.

While all industries are affected by the change, the IT industry takes the responsibility of spearheading the transformations to facilitate change in other industries as well.

The automation process across industries has created a new demand for IT products and services. Technology cycles are very short, leading to redundancies in certain processes. Equally fast, newer processes and products are getting invented for which upskilling of the workforce is mandatory.

Marketplace shifts and changing demand of the customers also pose a threat to the IT industry. The thrust is towards reskilling and upskilling the workforce.

The employees in the IT sector say that they must continuously upskill to keep pace with innovations in machine learning, coding, logical thinking, problem-solving and integrating different technologies.

Continual learning is an organisation’s most important tool preparing for the unprecedented technology transformation where new roles are rapidly evolving, new skillsets are required and business and technology sides of the business are increasingly converging. Skillsoft Aspire learning journeys will help you keep your tech talent ahead of the curve.

The way forward is to upskill, and this is how an employee benefits from it:

Improves employability

The only way employees can keep pace with changes in the IT sector is to upskill regularly. This will not only give them job stability but also improve their employability prospects. The ageing workforce must reskill and upskill as technology evolves. Soft skills and being up-to-date with newer processes will play a key role in getting employees future ready.

Avoids redundancy

Automation is responsible for rendering jobs redundant in the IT sector as machines replace humans in many jobs. The IT industry, which once drew employees in large numbers, has suffered from large-scale layoffs recently, which have made it volatile. Upskilling is the only way to stay abreast with new methods and remain relevant.

Ensures agility

When employees in the IT industry upskill to learn the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, robotics and blockchain, they become agile. They quickly adapt to the changing needs of the business. They are able to meet market demands and assist in driving the change, which not only impacts their industries but all businesses.

Drives innovation

Upskilling and reskilling open new doors for employees in the IT industry. Many have been able to conceive ideas during these sessions and have successfully been able to convert them into projects. These projects have also played a role in taking the transformation process in business ahead. Trainees receive stimulations during these learning sessions, which can create immense passion within them to pursue these topics for further research.

Encourages collaboration

When you are open to learning new skills, you also open new avenues for yourself in the form of a partnership with like-minded people. These collaborations help individuals spearhead projects and advance their networking. This also improves their future job prospects.

How should the upskilling process be initiated?

Upskilling should be aligned with individual’s needs and not be a tick-the-box exercise by an employer. Employers who nominate employees for training should pay attention to the time they have in hand, their interests, learning goals and future plans for effective learning.

Upskilling can happen internally too. Employees tend to learn a lot at work from a manager who enjoys coaching, although a majority find more value in learning from outside the business.

Bite-size learning is gaining popularity with the newer generation, which finds day-long training boring and difficult to retain. Little learning nuggets in the form of micro learning and nano learning also help them learn quickly and precisely.

E-learning platforms are attracting many users because of the mobility they provide. They cut travelling and accommodation cost, thus making this platform more cost effective for organizations.

Other popular platforms are workshops and webinars, which employees can attend and participate in to upskill regularly.

Disruptions in business because of technology have made human beings more dynamic too. Although machines are replacing humans in mundane jobs, there is a shortage of talented employees who are acquainted with these machines and technologies. Clearly, it is time for employees to reskill and upskill to bridge the gaps in the IT industry.