Did you know that 94% of key decision-makers say certified staff provide added value above and beyond the cost of certification?*

This is why so many organizations invest in the practice of upskilling (and reskilling) their employees, but some nowadays are hesitant, and it is easy to understand why. COVID-19 brought with it massive changes to every industry and uncertainty to every worker. In complicated times such as these, employers may not see the point of upskilling a workforce, but it is only because they have not yet discovered its value.

Upskilling, for the uninitiated, simply refers to teaching employees additional skills, procedures and methods to help them stay abreast of the latest industry best practices, regulatory requirements and standards. In general, upskilling helps gain competencies and efficiencies, so they are prepared to take on the challenges of the future.

Upskilling can present itself in the form of taking new training classes, receiving select manager mentoring/coaching sessions, attending conferences, receiving new certifications, etc. The “how” of upskilling depends on organizational needs at the time and the availability of budget. This practice can help build and retain stronger and more effective information system teams in an industry that is in a state of constant evolution. New technology emerges daily and while it creates new business opportunities for your organization, it simultaneously widens the skill gaps in your employees.

Plus, companies that opt out of upskilling workers expose themselves to further risk and may struggle to comply with ever-evolving compliance and regulatory requirements. Continued education offers the opportunity to combat skill gaps and retain an organization’s workforce. Training and developing new employees will expand their expertise and give an organization a competitive advantage. But that’s not all…