Upskilling and reskilling: a journey toward positive evolution in the digital age

We live in a technology-centric reality, and digital transformation is revolutionizing the way we act, think, and work. 

As much as there are predictions about the impact and influence of IT on society, this new reality has shown that adaptation is a crucial and very valuable process on several fronts. To this end, training is essential to build the foundations and develop the skills necessary to meet the challenges of these new circumstances. We are witnessing a process of adaptation on the part of companies, individuals, and even training, which has also become more agile in order to respond to the new demands and dynamics of the labor market. 

This new reality, rooted in the digital age and IT, indicates how lifelong learning and training is a priority need, as skills and knowledge are no longer static, but constantly evolving according to the dynamics of the market and our customers. The objective is the continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills, with a focus on career growth (upskilling) or on career retraining or changing (reskilling). 

All in all, choosing an IT area is a very safe option in terms of employability. Career retraining is a process of change that allows one to open new horizons, and it is important to emphasize the fact that training is not only a part of it but also a determining factor for future success. 

The terms upskilling and reskilling have been brought into our reality as a consequence of the previously mentioned dynamics. In reality, they are synonymous with the increase or adaptation of skills. Both are considered essential processes by organizations, as they become more competitive by updating and optimizing their human capital, and by individuals, as they acquire the necessary tools to better adapt and to obtain agility in the digital era, as well as a greater probability of success, and the creation of new opportunities, in line with the positive prospects for employability in the IT field.

There are other advantages associated with these two terms, from which we can highlight the fact that encourages an overall positive dynamic that contributes to talent retention, enhances a company’s reputation and image, and increases employee motivation, as employees feel the company is investing in their training and development. Furthermore, both also lead employees to have better performance, more opportunities, and consequently greater professional fulfillment.

Therefore, even though the concepts of upskilling and reskilling have some differences, as the former aims to teach new skills, while the latter aims to adapt functions and jobs, they have in common the fact that they generate positive evolution, as they bring specialization but also versatility.

Article published in the 2022 issue of Aprender and on Líder on July 30, 2022