With rising recruitment costs and increased instability, there’s never been a better time to invest in your workforce via upskilling. In fact, research shows businesses who support staff development are 2X more likely to have loyal employees.
Upskilling means training existing employees. It enables staff to improve their skills and confidence and allows employers to mould colleagues into key players within the business who help to boost business performance.
If you want to find out more about ways to upskill staff, including upskilling through apprenticeships, this blog post is for you.
Should you upskill or reskill your employees?
Upskilling enhances existing skills, whereas reskilling involves learning entirely new ones. Both are valuable but serve different purposes.
Upskilling empowers employees to excel in their current roles and take on added responsibilities within their field.
Reskilling prepares them for entirely new roles, often necessary due to technological advancements or changing business needs. Reskilling is becoming increasingly popular as employees are required to learn new methods of work due to the fast pace of technological advancements.
The choice between upskilling and reskilling depends entirely on your company's specific needs.
If you're looking to improve efficiency, boost productivity, and keep your team current with evolving industry standards within their existing roles, upskilling is the way to go. It's a targeted approach that maximises the value of your current workforce.
However, if your company is undergoing a significant transformation, adopting new technologies, or facing skills gaps due to changing market demands, reskilling becomes essential. It allows you to fill critical roles with internal talent, reducing recruitment costs and fostering employee loyalty. Often, a combination of both upskilling and reskilling is the most effective approach to building a future-ready workforce.
What are the benefits of upskilling and reskilling staff?
The benefits of upskilling staff include:
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Boosted Employee Engagement and Retention: Investing in your team's growth shows you value them, leading to increased motivation and loyalty
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Increased Productivity and Efficiency: Upskilled employees are better equipped to handle their responsibilities, leading to a 17% increase in productivity
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Enhanced Customer Service: Employees with up-to-date skills can provide better service, leading to happier customers and a stronger reputation. In fact, there is a 3x return on spending for companies that spend on better customer service
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Fostered Innovation: A learning culture encourages new ideas and problem-solving, helping your company stay competitive and adapt to change
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Improved Bottom Line: From increased efficiency to better customer service, upskilling directly contributes to healthier financial performance
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Stronger Competitive Edge: In a rapidly evolving market, upskilling ensures your team has the skills needed to stay ahead of the curve.
Here are 5 tips to help your employees upskill
1. Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships mix professional training with on-the-job learning and are available in a huge variety of roles within occupational sectors. Apprenticeships are for employees of any age from 16 upwards and range from Level 2 programmes to Higher Apprenticeships at Level 5 and beyond. They’re a cost-effective way to upskill your staff and you can be sure that your employees are learning the latest skills that add value to your business.
2. Short Courses
Short Courses are fully or partially funded and offer certified Continued Professional Development in several vocational areas such as management, Functional Skills and First Aid. Short courses are perfect for upskilling in small to medium sized organisations as they give employees relevant skills within a short time frame that can be put to immediate use.
3. Make Protected Time
For any form of training, it’s crucial you allow your employees time to complete their studies. Apprenticeships require a minimum of 20% off-the-job training, the equivalent to one day a week for a full-time staff.
The off-the-job element can be spread across the week and should be protected to ensure learners get the most from the experience and gain the confidence and skills to make your businesses even more successful.
4. Access Support
We’ve been in the skills, training and apprenticeship business for over twenty years, and our Learning Coaches are all industry trained. Learning Coaches are dedicated to helping both you and your employee every step of the way. They’ll hold regular Progress Reviews to check that the learning is on track, and make sure that everyone is getting as much out of the training as possible.
5. Celebrate (and evaluate)
Celebrate your learner’s achievements – not just to recognise their personal and professional growth, but to evaluate the benefits to your business. Learning should be lifelong – we know that a growth mindset encourages resilience and positivity in business and in life. So celebrate achievements, evaluate the gains, and reflect on who your next ‘upskiller’ could be…it might even be you!
Can apprenticeships be used to upskill internal staff?
Yes, they can be used to upskill and train internal staff. They offer a structured learning pathway for career progression, allowing employees to enhance their skills, gain new qualifications, and become even more valuable to the company.
Why choose apprenticeships to upskill your staff?
You should choose an apprenticeship to train your staff if you want to reap the following benefits:
Cost-effectiveness
Apprenticeships are often government-funded, significantly reducing training costs for your business. This makes upskilling more accessible and budget-friendly.
Increased employee loyalty
Investing in your employees' development through apprenticeships demonstrates your commitment to their growth, leading to increased job satisfaction and retention.
Future-proofing your workforce
Apprenticeships equip your team with the latest skills and knowledge, ensuring your business stays competitive and adaptable in a rapidly changing market.
Improved productivity and efficiency
As employees gain new skills and knowledge, they become more efficient and productive, directly contributing to your company's success.
Tailored to your needs
Apprenticeships are designed in collaboration with employers, ensuring the training aligns perfectly with your specific industry requirements and skill gaps.
Address skills gaps
Apprenticeships can be tailored to address specific skills shortages within your company or industry, ensuring you have the expertise you need to thrive. This targeted approach makes apprenticeships highly effective for workforce planning.
Industry-recognised qualifications
Apprenticeships lead to nationally recognised qualifications, validating the employee's skills and boosting their career prospects. This provides a tangible benefit and demonstrable value to the employee.
Utilise the apprenticeship levy tax you pay
Many companies pay an apprenticeship levy, a tax designed to fund apprenticeship training. If you're paying this levy, you're already investing in apprenticeships, whether you realise it or not. By utilising your levy funds to train your own staff, you're essentially reclaiming that investment and directly benefiting from it.
Failing to use your apprenticeship levy means the funds are redistributed to other businesses - you're effectively funding their training instead of your own. Don't leave money on the table or allow the levy funds to expire; use your levy to develop your workforce and gain a competitive edge.
Read more: Why Use Apprenticeships to Upskill Your Employees?
Choose Total People to upskill your staff with apprenticeships
At Total People, we partner with employers to bridge skill gaps through apprenticeships. We assist in securing funding and collaborate closely to develop bespoke training plans tailored to your specific business needs. Whether you're looking to upskill or reskill existing staff or bring in new talent, we can help you create a pipeline of skilled professionals. Contact us today to learn more.
