In our software program expert witness practice, we’ve seen what can happen when new technology steamrolls employees and makes them feel obsolete: they retaliate. This is why reskilling is essential.
Tech upskilling for employees is all about equipping your workforce with the skills required to assume new roles as their processes become increasingly automated.
What is Upskilling?
Upskilling is the process of teaching employees new skills or improving upon existing skills. As the AI Revolution unfolds, this kind of training is essential.
Due to labor shortages and the steep investment required for training new employees, organizations are looking for ways to fine-tune the talent they already have.
This likely makes sense for your organization, as well. When you invest in your current employees, you reap the rewards.
Some of the main benefits of upskilling include:
- Improved employee morale
- Increased employee retention
- Increased competitiveness
ERP Training Plan Success Story
We helped this manufacturer implement an ERP training strategy to increase user adoption of its new ERP system.
Tech Upskilling for Employees: 4 Best Practices
Once you’ve decided to move forward with a tech upskilling program, it’s time to think about how you’ll approach it. Here are some expert tips to help you implement a successful strategy.
1. Identify Weak Areas
Identify all the areas in which your team needs to improve. This will help you determine what kind of training you need to implement internally. An internal training program allows you to customize your materials to fit the needs of each end-user.
Then, consider external training resources. Today, you can find a variety of online and in-person courses and seminars designed to help employees sharpen their tech skills. There are also conferences, trade shows, and other events related to professional development.
2. Motivate and Incentivize
The tech upskilling process can be tough, no matter how much time you put into planning and administering training. It can be hard to keep employees motivated, especially when they’re juggling their day-to-day work.
This is why it’s important to look for small but meaningful ways to keep them motivated and engaged.
One of the most effective tools in your arsenal is simple recognition. Give your team members a shout-out if they complete a particularly challenging training module or gain expertise in a new area.
These small steps can keep employees engaged in their own training and development. When workers know you’re invested in their future and well-being, they’re more likely to participate and retain what they learn.
3. Leverage SMEs
When gathering resources for upskilling, there are key organizational groups to involve:
- Core project team members
- Internal communications team
- Subject matter experts (SMEs)
- Department leads
Your SMEs and department leaders are well-versed in the specific pain points that their colleagues are facing. They can tell you which skills they need to develop and help you create a training plan that meets their needs.
If possible, equip these team members with the same technical knowledge you want your end-users to have. This way, they can help facilitate training sessions and play a direct role in your upskilling efforts.
4. Focus on the Right Skills
Technical skills are known as hard skills, while soft skills include capabilities such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. Employees need both to succeed.
Some of the hard skills to focus on during an ERP implementation or digital transformation include:
- AI and automation
- Data literacy
- Cybersecurity
Soft skills to sharpen include:
- Self-motivation
- Time management
- Creative thinking skills
- Decision-making and judgment
- Communication and teamwork
When setting upskilling goals, make both hard and soft skills a priority for all your end-user training initiatives.
Upskill Your Employees for Today and Tomorrow
It can be difficult to realize the benefits of enterprise software, such as ERP or SCM systems, when you’re struggling to get your workforce up to speed.
Instead of overhauling your existing teams, focus on fortifying them. Tech upskilling for employees ensures that end-users have the skills they need to perform higher-level tasks.
Our organizational change management consultants can help you develop a reskilling strategy and integrate it with your change management plan. Contact us below for an ERP consultation.
