Upskilling & Reskilling: The Future for Employers

A new job market is emerging, and the landscape will require colleges and universities to adapt to a skills-first approach when it comes to academic offerings, learning outcomes and delivery methods to ensure students are ready for the job market. This also opens doors for enrolling employees with years of experience looking to upskill.

Upskilling is not a new concept for employers or employees. Increasing value for oneself or employers is an investment well worth the time and resources. When it comes to upskilling what do employers want? What are employees' expectations? Most importantly, how can your institution capture this audience and meet the needs of both employers and employees?

Upskilling is the process of gaining additional skills or knowledge on a specific topic or skill.  Upskilling empowers employees to advance along their chosen career paths.

Reskilling means searching for people whose current skills are a close fit for what an employer needs. Reskilling provides lateral experience for the employee that can help an employer fill gaps in labor needs.

Preparing students for real-world work experiences is mission-critical in this age of justifying the value of a college education. Colleges and universities continue to reshape course offerings, learning outcomes and tuition structures to include the in-demand credentials that will best prepare graduates for a new era of work and upskilling.

Using the awareness method of marketing, meeting students in this audience where they are with flexibility such as expedited application process, program-specific onboarding, access to additional online resources and more will set them up for success. To learn more about the awareness-based method of marketing, download our report today.

The World Economic Forum estimates that 50 percent of employees worldwide will need reskilling by 2025. Seasoned employees will be looking to upskill and reskill quickly with stackable certifications, micro-credentials and boot camps. Colleges and universities can capture this ready audience with flexible course offerings, affordable tuition and employer partnerships.

A poll by Gallup found that 65 percent of workers are interested in upskilling opportunities if offered time during working hours and 71 percent if paid by their employer. Creating partnerships with employers and communities to fill workforce needs will open doors wider to recruiting adult learners.  Look internally, don't forget about the faculty and staff of your own institution. 

Offering a path to sought-after employment will position your institution uniquely to serve the immediate need and later offer degree completion.