Entering 2024 without knowing your skills gaps?

As we head towards 2024 new tech innovations continue to impact everyone. Obstacles and opportunities are being presented faster than ever before and this means there is a critical need to better plan and prepare your people for change by using skills insights.?You are putting them at risk without a plan that includes skills assessments in pursuit of opportunities to have targeted learning and development programs.

On the job learning is now a necessity and not having a skills based culture means you may be heading into the future without a plan for your employees that is adaptable or able to stay relevant. Planning for the future is no longer a static document but rather a live and active component of everyone's working life which includes the ability to recognise elite skills and to develop the skills required for any upskilling or career mobility programs.

When employees lack defined skill profiles or fail to adapt to changes in the workplace, several issues can arise. Here's a list of potential issues:

1. Job Insecurity:Employees without updated skill profiles may fear job insecurity as they may be perceived as less valuable in a rapidly changing environment.?
2. Limited Career Advancement:Without clearly defined skills, employees may struggle to demonstrate their value to employers, hindering opportunities for career advancement.?
3. Obsolete Skill Sets:Employees who don't continuously update their skill sets risk becoming obsolete as technology and job requirements evolve.?
4. Reduced Productivity:Inability to keep up with new tools or processes can lead to decreased productivity, affecting both individual and team performance.?
5. Resistance to Change:Employees without updated skills may resist changes in the workplace, creating friction and hindering organizational progress.?
6. Missed Opportunities:Lack of skills can result in missed opportunities for participation in new projects, special assignments, or training programs.?
7. Decreased Employability:Employees with outdated skills may find it challenging to secure new employment opportunities in a competitive job market. "Tomorrow has arrived and yet my skills are stuck in yesterday mode". -?
8. Strained Team Dynamics:Team dynamics may suffer when some members are not able to contribute effectively due to a lack of relevant skills.?
9. Increased Workload on Others:Colleagues with up-to-date skills may bear the burden of compensating for the shortcomings of those without the required skills.?
10. Employee Frustration and Demotivation:Employees who feel left behind or undervalued due to a lack of skills may experience frustration and demotivation, leading to decreased morale.?
11. High Turnover:Employees who feel stagnant in their careers due to a lack of skills development may seek opportunities elsewhere, leading to higher turnover. Career mobility plans using skills profiles enable tailored L&D pathways compared to annual chats that do not go anywhere".
12. Competitive Disadvantage:Companies may lose their competitive edge if a significant portion of their workforce lacks the skills needed to stay ahead in the industry.?
13. Training Gaps:Identifying and addressing training gaps becomes challenging when employees do not have clearly defined skill profiles. "micro training courses targeting skills are most cost effective than a traditional and general approach"
14. Poor Adaptability to Change:Lack of skills may result in a workforce that struggles to adapt to changes, hindering the organization's ability to innovate and respond to market trends. "
15. Customer Satisfaction Issues:In industries where customer expectations evolve, employees lacking updated skills may struggle to meet these expectations, leading to customer dissatisfaction.?

To address these issues, organizations are now focused on employee training and development programs, regular skills assessments, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.?

Tailor made Learning and Development Plans for each individual are now a journey which includes a variety of methods that are not isolated to training courses alone. These include on the job training and development and assessment of skills.

Entering 2024 without a clear understanding of your skills gaps is seen as one of the greatest factors that will impact success.?

Upskilling, reskilling, career mobility and secondment programs need a more targeted approach and at Skills Base we have seen first hand the benefits being enjoyed by organisations who are using skills assessments and their associated skills insights as part of this process.