Upskilling Yourself To Better Careers Right Now!

The skills gap is a real thing and upskilling yourself is a must unless you want to remain in your position for years. It’s the difference between the skills that employers need and the skills that employees have. And it’s a problem for both sides.

For employers, the skills gap means they can’t find the talent they need to fill their open positions. For employees, it means they cannot get the jobs they want because they don’t have the right skills.

The good news is, there are ways to close the Skills Gap.

Recognizing and Accepting A Skills Gap Problem Exists

It starts with understanding your weaknesses and taking steps to improve them. Although easier said than done, we must embrace those areas with an open mind and explore all options.

Keep in mind that not everyone learns the same. So even though you may have a solution to closing a particular skill, it will also depend on how the information conveyed to you will take place.

Factors To Consider When Upskilling?

The great news is that you don’t have to do this alone. There are plenty of resources and tools available online as well as in your local community.

Although it may seem like a daunting task, remember that once you identify the Skills Gap, you’re one step closer to filling it.

I agree with Paul Gunn’s article on Closing the Learning Gap May Solve the Skills Gap, where one has to consider the core values: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Agility, and Problem-Solving.

However, one must consider two key factors: the relationship between an instructor and their student and how students are engaged in the content.

Seek A Mentor or Subject Matter Expert To Guide The Process

When you’re ready to take on the challenge on upskilling, seek out a mentor in your field.

This is someone who has already gone through the process and can help guide and support you as you work to improve your skills.

They can offer advice, share resources, and answer any questions you may have along the way.

Finding a mentor is easier than ever, thanks to the internet. You can connect with potential mentors through numerous online communities and forums.

You can also reach out to your network of family and friends to see if anyone knows someone who could help you.

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, consider LinkedIn, ask Human Resources, and even contact your professional organization’s local chapter.

Conduct A Good Old Fashion Internet Search

Online Resources and Tools To Improve Skills

In addition to finding a mentor, there are many online resources and tools you can use to improve your skills.

For example, if you want to learn more about web development, you can find dozens of free online courses. Once you complete a course, you can add the new skill to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

There are also many online forums where you can ask questions and get advice from other professionals in your field. These forums are a great way to connect with others who may be going through the same thing as you.

Some of my favorites include:

• Stack Overflow
• GitHub
• Reddit
• Quora

Finally, don’t forget about Google. A simple search can turn up tons of results. Utilize the advanced search, so you have the most recent information.

Where Do I begin?

One way to do this is by using Illuminate, a free five-day trial that gives you access to all the tools and resources you need to optimize your talent. With Illuminate, you can identify your weaknesses and create a plan to improve them. When you conduct your analysis, be sure to get our free Closing The Skills Gap tool that will guide you through the initial discovery.

Another great place comes from our Upskill Talent Tools page.

So why not give Illuminate a try? It could be the first step to closing the Skills Gap for good. For you as a reader, it can unlock that next promotion. For an organization, closing the skills gap will boost productivity, reduce costs and enhance your product line.

What are your thoughts on Skills Gap closure? Let us know in the comments below.