What do you do if your automotive manufacturing skills are becoming outdated as retirement approaches?

1 Assess your skills gap

The first step is to identify where you stand in terms of your current skills and knowledge, and where you need to improve or update them. You can do this by reviewing your job description, performance evaluations, feedback from peers and managers, and industry standards and expectations. You can also use online tools and assessments to measure your proficiency in specific areas, such as software, hardware, processes, or systems. This will help you pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses, and prioritize your learning goals.

2 Seek out learning opportunities

The next step is to find ways to learn new skills or refresh existing ones that are relevant to your role and industry. You can do this by taking advantage of the training and development programs offered by your employer, or by enrolling in online courses, webinars, workshops, or certifications that match your interests and needs. You can also look for mentoring, coaching, or shadowing opportunities within your organization or network, where you can learn from more experienced or knowledgeable colleagues or experts. You can also join professional associations, forums, or communities that provide access to valuable resources, insights, and trends.

3 Apply your learning to practice

The final step is to put your learning into action and demonstrate your value and competence. You can do this by volunteering for new projects, tasks, or roles that challenge you and require you to use your newly acquired or updated skills. You can also share your knowledge and skills with others, by offering to train, mentor, or coach your co-workers, or by contributing to blogs, podcasts, newsletters, or publications that showcase your expertise and insights. You can also seek feedback and recognition from your managers, clients, or peers, by highlighting your achievements, results, or improvements.

Staying on top of your automotive manufacturing skills as retirement approaches may seem daunting, but it can also be rewarding and fulfilling. By assessing your skills gap, seeking out learning opportunities, and applying your learning to practice, you can enhance your career prospects, boost your confidence, and prepare for a smooth and successful transition to the next phase of your life.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?