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Category: Expertise strategy

The future of workplace upskilling and training

In this article, we explore why ongoing upskilling and training are essential, delve into current trends, and examine how technical advancements might shape the future of workplace training. 

As businesses around the globe embrace emerging technologies, the need to close the technology skills gap has never been more pressing. Adapting to rapid technological advancements demands both a strategic approach to training and a commitment to continuous learning. Numerous articles have explored the effort required to nurture future talent and keep the current workforce updated, ensuring that companies are well-positioned to capitalise on new opportunities. 

Rise in training needs

Continuous learning is an approach long advocated by professional institutions and forward-thinking businesses. Proactively training employees keeps businesses up to date with essential skills and improves staff retention rates, avoiding the costs and hassles of repeated hiring. 

LinkedIn research shows that companies with strong learning cultures experience higher employee retention, greater internal mobility, and a stronger management pipeline.

The importance of this cannot be understated as, taking the UK as an example, Oxford Learning College found that by 2030, about 20% of the UK workforce will be significantly under-skilled for their jobs, and 66% of large UK businesses will struggle to find employees with the skills needed.

Similarly, a study by the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, 50% of all employees will need reskilling due to adopting new technologies. 

Read more about the LinkedIn research here. 


 

  Proactively training employees keeps businesses up to date with essential skills and improves staff retention rates, avoiding the costs and hassles of repeated hiring. 

 


At emagine, we have observed a growing interest in upskilling and training, particularly in response to advancing technologies. To stay competitive, businesses must keep pace with innovation and have the necessary skills to leverage technology. Companies undergoing digital transformations often focus on specific technology skills, like coding or using new software.

However, it is equally important, for example, to train all employees on broader skills, ensuring they can work effectively and securely with data. By providing comprehensive training, companies can ensure their entire workforce is equipped to contribute to and benefit from the transformation, thereby maximising the return on investment in new technologies.

The importance of ‘power’ skills  

Evolving technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming business operations, requiring leaders to develop more than just their technical skills. To navigate these changes effectively, leaders must also focus on soft or 'power skills' such as change and stakeholder management, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and communication.

This shift towards emphasising soft skills reflects the growing recognition that these abilities are crucial for guiding organisations, employees, and stakeholders through significant transformations and driving successful organisational change. 

At emagine, we have responded to this by developing our Entrepreneurial Project Management program - an innovative, immersive training initiative designed to equip leaders with the powerful soft skills essential for future success.

This program is aligned with Gartner's insights on the importance of dynamic and adaptive project management skills, ensuring our leaders are prepared to handle the complexities of modern business environments. 

What type of training delivery is best?

Training delivery can be approached through a variety of methods, including in-house programs or external providers, and can range from brief one-off sessions to more comprehensive, extended courses. Of course, the optimal combination depends on the business’s specific needs, but a tailored approach is generally the most effective and yields the best results. 

We at emagine recognise that each business has its own unique needs, so we try to avoid a one-size-fits-all training approach to our training delivery. For instance, for our 3-Day Professional Project Management course, our team begins by partnering closely with our clients to gain a thorough understanding of their project delivery processes.

Based on this insight, we then tailor our training program to highlight and embed their specific project management methods and approaches whilst ensuring alignment with industry standards such as the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Performance reviews and employee evaluations must reflect the company's purpose and each employee's actual value to the business.

A blended approach often proves most effective when deciding between remote and in-person training. While online learning isn’t new, the pandemic accelerated the adaptation of training modules for remote delivery, bringing several benefits. These include the flexibility to offer shorter, spaced-out sessions without the need for travel, which allows for more focused and manageable learning experiences.

This format can enhance comprehension and retention by breaking down content into smaller, more digestible segments. However, in-person training still offers valuable benefits, such as the ability to dive deeper into complex topics and provide networking opportunities that remote sessions simply cannot fully replicate.

Where suitable, combining both methods can leverage the strengths of each, creating a more comprehensive and engaging training experience. 

Additionally, where appropriate, we recommend and deliver training that can lead to certification. This approach not only provides employees with recognised credentials, enhancing their career prospects and demonstrating the value of their training, but it also ensures that their time investment yields tangible benefits. For our clients, this means employees gain skills that are formally acknowledged and respected in the industry.

Additionally, for us, a world-class training provider, certification serves as a mark of quality, validating the effectiveness and credibility of our training. 


 

  Evolving technologies like AI are transforming business operations, requiring leaders to develop not only technical skills but also crucial soft skills like change management, strategic thinking, and effective communication.

 


The future of upskilling and training

The future of upskilling and training will be driven by emerging technologies, making learning more personalised and accessible. AI will be key in identifying skills gaps and tailoring training to individual needs. We can expect interactive experiences, enhanced by real-time feedback and augmented reality, to become more prevalent, making learning more engaging and effective.

Despite these technological advancements, the human element in training will remain essential. Ultimately, a blended approach that combines digital and in-person training will likely be the most effective strategy for organisations moving forward. 

Fifteen years of training expertise

At emagine, we've created customised training courses and development programs for over 15 years. Our training is crafted by subject matter experts in close collaboration with client businesses, ensuring tailored learning experiences that address both organisational and individual needs.

Read more at  emagine training courses.

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