Retaining the Skill Edge in 2023 and beyond

In an ever-evolving business landscape marked by constant improvements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, continuous learning and upskilling form an imperative for people across industries, geographies and age groups. Owing to the continuous evolution of the skill landscape at a rapid pace, it is vital that one keeps abreast with the skill demands to stay relevant.

While many would know the relevance of learning and upskilling, only a few are truly familiar with its nuances. However, it is not only important to know when to upskill but also what and how to upskill.

The What and the How of Upskilling

In general, many reports and analytics predict that the two major skill categories listed below will always continue to stay relevant –

• Skills pertaining to evolving technologies,
• Soft skills or power skills.

If the pandemic set into motion the need to develop and enhance these skills, the emergence of AI accelerated the need to manifold. While the major categories mentioned above encompass a plethora of sub-categories whose count is substantially increasing by the day, one can safely say that these will form the major sub-heads in 2023 and beyond.?

Before diving deep into honing a new skill and adding it to your resume, it is important to analyse two key aspects–

• The What: Under this, the learners need to selectively choose what skill they want to learn and master. The skills must be appropriate? for them based on their personal and work context, as well as their personal and future career aspects.
• The How: Once the What is identified, the learners need to analyse how and from where these skills can be acquired. Post democratization of learning that started nearly a decade ago with the advent of various digital portals that make learning possible anytime and anywhere, there are now many options to choose from.

Focus on Deep Skilling

It goes without saying that micro-learning has become the new accepted norm because modern learners lack the time and patience to deep dive into learning anything new. The concept of “Modern Learner” as socialized by Deloitte highlighted that their attention spans have reduced considerably as they gravitate towards micro and mobile learning.

Micro-learning is anti-deep skilling which leads to the “jack of many trades and master of none” syndrome. It is high time that businesses, and more so learners, focus on deep skilling rather than falling into the trap of microlearning.

Of course, by means of leveraging a blended learning journey, deep skilling can become all the more attractive and enticing. Both businesses and individuals should have crystal clear clarity on what are the areas for deep skilling they want to focus upon, and how they will go about it, to achieve maximum returns.

Holistic Approach to Skilling

Just like life always has a way of coming to a full circle, so do your learning and upskilling techniques should follow a 360-degree approach. An approach which is both fundamentally sound and holistically resilient tends to go a long way towards achieving higher returns on your dedicated investments, which is your time and labour. Skilling need not always have to be a long and arduous process. Make it short and fun. Set small targets and shorter timelines to achieve them. Always remember to design the process journey just the way you want it because at the end, it is you who is going to walk on it.

Just like in order for a tree to be strong, healthy and fruit-bearing, its roots, branches and leaves need to work in a complete synergy, the same approach should apply to your upskilling and capability building process as well.

About us:

Olive Green is a one-stop solution to all the HR outsourcing needs for Startups. We can take care of the operational activities and do the leg work for you so that you can focus exclusively on the activities which contribute directly to achieving your investor priorities, business results, and the continued growth and sustainability of the organization.

Visit us at?www.olivegreenconsulting.com?to know more.