26 September 2023 
4 mins to read If you are someone keeping track of the latest trends in the job market, two words will be popping up often: Upskilling and Reskilling.
Now both of these words on the outset will sound different, seem different and even mean different. But they both do have one thing in common: They form the building blocks for career growth and advancement.
In the following article we will be highlighting the differences as well as additional similarities.
What is Upskilling and Reskilling?
Before we delve deep into the bare details of upskilling and reskilling, it is important to understand the definition of both upskilling and reskilling.
Upskilling is a process where an employee learns additional skills which will enhance his/her current job, which in turn will improve their abilities to help them advance further in their career.
Upskilling is not limited to learning new skills but also becoming familiar with the latest technology that may emerge in the market. Upskilling focuses on adding to an existing skill set within a role
Reskilling involves a process wherein an employees knowledge and skill so that his/her performance levels are enhanced. In other words, it is a process where learning new skills are required to do an entirely different job.
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Differences between Upskilling and Reskilling
Now that we have discussed the definitions of both upskilling and reskilling, let’s analyse the difference between the two.
- Upskilling is based on the requirement that employees learn new information and skills. It simply means that the employees are provided with the tools and knowledge to perform their current jobs effectively rather than training them to take on a new role.
- Reskilling comes into the picture when the employee needs to develop new skills in order to take on a new job function in the organisation. The essence of reskilling is examining employees whose present skills needed for the new position
- Reskilling can be applied in a wide range of situations but the most common instance is the desire to retain those employees who are reliable and efficient but their roles have become obsolete due to evolving technology.
- Upskilling on the other hand is used to help an employee adapt to new changes in the industry. It especially comes into play when job duties become a bit redundant and thus the need to prevent the redundancy of a workers skillset takes precedence.
To know more about other non-traditional career paths visit the linked article
Importance of Upskilling and Reskilling
Keeping the above differences in mind, both upskilling and reskilling have one commonality between them: They both play a crucial role in career advancement.
In addition they also help in fostering a culture of learning that will last a lifetime in the industry. It has already established itself as a practice that industries need to encourage in order to stay relevant in an ever-evolving market.
Without such practices, such businesses and industries would run the risk of becoming obsolete and irrelevant as time goes on.
Conclusion
Keeping the above differences in mind, both upskilling and reskilling have one commonality between them: They both play a crucial role in career advancement.
In addition they also help in fostering a culture of learning that will last a lifetime in the industry. It has already established itself as a practice that industries need to encourage in order to stay relevant in an ever-evolving market.
Without such practices, such businesses and industries would run the risk of becoming obsolete and irrelevant as time goes on.
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