Upskilling the Workforce: Investing in Continuous Training and Education for Long-Term Success

Upskilling has been a buzzword in human resources conversations for several years, but how can Houston-area employers tap into this retention powerhouse? Start with an understanding that upskilling is vital for attracting, and keeping, qualified talent. In fact, 65% of workers report that employer-provided upskilling is very important when considering a new job, and 48% of employees said they’d change jobs if the new employer offered skills training.

In our region’s constantly evolving industries like energy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and construction, employee-sponsored skills training has become an important way to develop and grow a talent pipeline. Upskilling can help you meet the growing demand for labor. Here’s how to ensure your investment in training and education pays off in the long run.

Align Upskilling with Business Goals

From automation to artificial intelligence (AI), technological advances are reshaping industries. Identify the skills gaps in your organization and define strategic objectives that upskilling will help solve. For example, is your company implementing a new automated system that employees will need to manage? Will they need to learn how to analyze data or create new reports? Upskilling programs should be tailored to address these specific knowledge gaps and business objectives.

While mapping out these gaps and objectives, keep an eye on the future. Ongoing training will probably be necessary, so build in a review process annually or at an appropriate cadence to make sure training keeps up with technology changes and best practices.

Measure Progress and Performance

After identifying skills gaps and creating a training program, how will you know if it’s effective? Establish metrics, or key performance indicators (KPIs), to assess whether the upskilling program is improving performance or outcomes. This could be through productivity metrics, employee surveys, or some other method of tracking.

If there is no direct way of measuring progress, such as in hospitality or restaurant roles, consider including a peer mentoring program. Experienced employees or those who have already completed the training can work with new employees to answer questions and ensure they understand the training.

Get Help with Planning and Implementation

Many organizations don’t have the resources or staff availability to develop an in-house training program, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t offer training opportunities. Workforce Solutions provides a no-cost, robust on-the-job training program (OJT) to help with upskilling, new employee onboarding, establishing apprenticeships, and developing custom education and training programs.

OJT programs offers employers access to:

• Training program support, including development, implementation and coaching
• Specialized recruiters to help with candidate search and placement
• Partial wage reimbursement for some programs
• Hands-on HR consulting and new employee onboarding coaching

If your organization doesn’t have the staff or resources to develop your own training programs, there is help available through Workforce Solutions’ OJT program.

Upskill to Become a Top-tier Employer

Companies that prioritize ongoing training opportunities are more likely to be viewed as attractive employers. With many industries still recovering from the Great Resignation, a focus on upskilling and job training gives you a competitive edge with motivated employees. From job-specific skills to general business and soft skills training, employees are looking for ways to advance their careers and earn more income. Organizations that provide opportunities to advance will be more likely to attract and retain top employees.

Upskilling can improve the bottom line by ensuring employees are capable and comfortable in their roles, demonstrating the company’s commitment to employee advancement, and positioning the organization as a top-tier company. Find out how Workforce Solutions’ OJT training program can help create or refine training programs for your staff.