The Hows and Whys of Upskilling Remote Teams

01/12/2024

Professional development means more than progressing in one’s career through promotions and new jobs. Adaptability is now an incredibly important attribute for employees across all sectors. This helps them ensure that their work is always relevant and adds value to the organization they are collaborating with.

What this means for organizations is that employees are no longer incentivized or motivated by just salary and benefits. Therefore, offering workplace training and promoting career development opportunities through upskilling and reskilling programs have become essential. Organizations that want to benefit from remote employees who are more engaged, loyal, motivated, and satisfied now have to encourage workplace learning.

We’ve covered all there is to know about upskilling remote teams in this article. Read on to learn why it’s important and how you can help your remote employees improve and adapt their skills.

Upskilling: Definition and Importance

Upskilling refers to the process of teaching employees new skills. In the macro sense, it entails a tectonic shift in the functioning or culture of a workplace due to technology.

As technology advances and the workforce adapts, employees need to learn new skills to be more competent in a new and changing work environment.

Upskilling is important to a company’s success and long-term goals. Companies often have to depend on their employees to adapt, adjust, and implement newer working models. This is especially true with a remote workforce where employees cannot be micromanaged and are trusted to do their best on their own.

It also helps improve employee satisfaction. Workers are more likely to choose an organization where they have the potential to learn and grow. Therefore, organizational development and having the best team also depend on upskilling programs.

How To Effectively Upskill Your Remote Team

Upskilling is extremely important so an organization can flourish. But how do you harness digital learning and development to help upskill remote employees?

Map out personal development plans for each employee to identify gaps in their skills and create upskilling opportunities accordingly.

Here are some important pointers:

  • Use learning content that is engaging and easily accessible. Encourage employees to learn on their own time, whenever it’s most convenient for them.
  • Create a blended virtual learning experience with self-paced lessons as well as instructor-led training sessions.
  • Use job aids that enable employees to actively upskill while they work. This helps them retain and apply their knowledge while helping them complete tasks more efficiently.
  • Assign mentors to help reduce the feeling of isolation that comes with remote working.
  • Offer incentives such as gift cards, one-time bonuses, flexible hours, or paid time off to motivate employees to join the training.
  • Offer strategic guidance and learning material that is relevant and prepares employees to face future changes in the industry.

Final Thoughts

Upskilling helps improve employee retention, promotes employee satisfaction and engagement, boosts productivity and morale, and reduces hiring costs for organizations. It also makes employees feel more confident in their work and allows them to prepare for upcoming changes.

Overall, it helps employees and organizations flourish, making it a critical component of any successful company.

If you’re thinking of offering your remote employees upskilling opportunities, book a demo today!

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