The Importance of Upskilling Employees

Female apprentice walking with clipboard in front of HGV.
Employers Reskill Blogs

In a fast-changing job market, standing still isn’t an option, or businesses or their people. Data shows 44% of workers' core skills are expected to change by 2027, driven by new technologies and shifting industry demands.

Upskilling, is no longer just a nice-to-have. It’s a business-critical strategy that: 

  • Improves productivity 

  • Boosts employee retention 

  • Helps companies stay competitive in a constantly evolving landscape. 

Whether you're responding to skills shortages through training courses or preparing your team for growth through apprenticeships, investing in learning and development is one of the smartest moves an employer can make. 

Reasons why upskilling your employees is important 

Business success  

Upskilling your team is a great way to grow your organisation. Not only is it key to maintaining and growing productivity, but it’s also important for keeping employees engaged and interested.   

Employees who have regular training are often more confident in their roles. This leads to higher self-esteem and productivity. In addition, employers who invest in upskilling their staff retain their employees for much longer. They also have significantly lower levels of employee turnover because staff feel valued.  

Increased productivity  

Upskilling your employees equips them with the latest skills, tools, and knowledge to perform their roles more efficiently. When staff feel confident and capable, they work faster, make fewer errors, and contribute more effectively to business goals. This not only improves day-to-day operations but also drives overall productivity across teams. 

Businesses that invest in training build stronger teams, retain talent for longer, and perform better across the board. It’s a win-win for employers and employees - Total People 

Upskilling builds a culture of innovation 

Learning fuels curiosity, and curiosity drives innovation. When employees feel empowered to learn and develop, they’re more likely to:  

  • Think creatively 

  • Challenge the status quo 

  • Contribute ideas that improve how things are done.  

A culture of continuous development leads to more agile thinking and a workforce that can pivot quickly in response to market shifts. Upskilled teams are better equipped to identify new opportunities, test new solutions, and drive improvement across departments. Over time, this mindset becomes a key differentiator in a competitive marketplace. 

Supports talent progression and internal promotion 

Upskilling opens the door for internal mobility. Hiring externally can be costly and time-consuming. Instead, you can promote from within and retain valuable institutional knowledge. When employees see clear development pathways, they’re more likely to commit to long-term careers with your company.  

This fosters loyalty, increases employee satisfaction, and strengthens leadership pipelines. By investing in your people’s growth, you create a workplace culture that values progression and rewards ambition. This makes you a more attractive employer in your industry. 

Upskilling isn’t just about learning new skills, it’s about helping people grow in their roles, take on new challenges, and thrive in their careers. - Total People 

Flexible training  

Upskilling can fit around the size of your organisation, your business needs and the qualification you are looking for. Our main routes to upskilling focus on the following:  

Apprenticeships  

Apprenticeships are a great way for individuals to upskill. Not only are apprenticeships available in many sectors, but there are lots of apprenticeship funding options available for businesses of all sizes too.  

Short courses for business  

Delivered online, short courses for businesses offer employees the chance to access certified Continued Professional Development (CPD) training in a number of vocational areas, from management to digital skills.   

How apprenticeships can be used to reskill staff 

Apprenticeships aren’t just for new recruits, they’re a powerful way to reskill existing staff and help them move into new roles within your business. Whether you're adapting to industry changes or filling internal skills gaps, apprenticeships offer a structured, funded way to retrain employees.  

Staff can learn new, job-ready skills in a wide range of areas. This supports their career growth and strengthens your workforce from within. This help keeps your workforce relevant to modern-day industry demands.  

Upskill your team with Total People 

At Total People, we make it easy to train and upskill your team. Whether you need quick, flexible short courses or longer apprenticeship programmes, we’ve got you covered. 

  • Apprenticeships help your staff learn new skills on the job while gaining a qualification. 

  • Short courses are great for fast, focused training in areas like leadership, digital skills, and customer service. 

We work with businesses of all sizes and take care of the training so you can focus on running your team. 

Get in touch today or explore our training options to get started. 

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