Gathering education is the finest approach to progress in the world we live in today. As a student, you can only improve by learning more about the subject you’re interested in. On that same note, when you add a lot of hours to your teaching, you get more credibility as a teacher. In a nutshell, the more you learn, the better you will become.
Upskilling is exactly what it sounds like: you learn as you go. In Singapore, our Upskill Today program helps students and teachers improve their portfolios. So, why is it essential to improve your outdated IT skills? Keep reading to find out more.
But before we get into why you need to consider upskilling your IT skill set, here is a clarification to something often confused with upskilling: reskilling.
Difference between Upskilling and Reskilling
Upskilling can be defined as learning new material and improving on what you currently know. Upskilling is used chiefly to increase one’s knowledge and career. An IT specialist can do it at any moment, thanks to the numerous upskilling courses accessible.
When a SW Tester gains additional expertise to become an informed IT Developer, this is an excellent example of upskilling. So, in addition to what they already know, they add a few more that will help them manage the job more effectively.
On the flip side, reskilling is learning a whole new set of skills. This means that one will have to undergo further training with new information and skills that equip the trainee to take up a new role. The main goal of reskilling is to transition to a new job or even industry.
For instance, if a retail store employee wants to become an IT engineer, they reskill.
So here are the differences
When comparing the two, reskilling takes significantly more time and resources because it involves learning anything from scratch. Upskilling, on the other hand, is merely adding to what you already know. Reskilling requires someone to leave their employment to begin studying, whereas upskilling requires simply a few days off or working while learning. Later on, a reskilling student can complete more upskilling.
An IT specialist can upskill, and any other person can reskill to become an IT specialist.
What about the similarities?
- The two involve garnering new information for the individual.
- They are both readily available.
- Anyone can upskill and reskill.
The Importance of Upskilling your IT Skills
Here is why upskilling your IT skills are vital:
- It is necessary because it makes you better.
- It is important because you become more marketable.
- It is vital because you get to advance your career.
- It is crucial as it adds more skills to your portfolio.
Why You need to Upskill your IT Skills
Upskilling in IT increases your earning potential, while enhancing your IT career resilience!
So how do you stay relevant and grow in the field?
Yes, you guessed right: you upskill! When it comes to IT specifically, here are the paramount values of upskilling:
Upskilling makes you Valuable in the Industry
Upskilling helps you gather more info in the industry, and as an IT specialist, this makes you employable. Since the IT world is constantly changing with advancements, you have become an asset many companies seek. That said, you will never lose a job; more so, get one that pays better.
Upskilling Boost your Qualifications
When you take an upskilling course in IT, you select what you want to learn precisely since the topic is broad. You can take lessons on website development or web design or perhaps broaden your SEO optimization skills. Either way, the result is a boost in your overall qualifications.
Upskilling Helps with Career Progression
Since you acquire new skills, you become the perfect candidate for a job promotion. IT jobs are particular in that if you do not meet the qualification even by one certification, you cannot get it. On that note, once you upskill, getting better-paying jobs becomes a possibility.
Upskilling Adds Job Security
No company is willing to let go of an employee that is skilled and knowledgeable in that field. This applies to IT companies as well.
Why? With a new skill set, you can provide higher quality work; thus, adding more value to your company. If you are a freelance IT specialist, you attract new clients searching for someone with an expanded portfolio.
Upskilling Helps you Gain More Income
If you want increase your income; upskilling might be the answer. When you have a new skill set that the employer finds attractive, you stand a better ground to negotiate a salary raise. As a freelance IT specialist, you can create a new rate card adding prices that match your offering.
Upskilling shows that you are a Progressive Individual
On a personal level, upskilling adds value to what you can do, and any employee appreciates this because they see someone willing to go the extra mile to become better. This is a commendable feature since they know that you are capable of growing and becoming better. And this consequently reflects on your performance. When you evolve to become better, the better the company performs.
Upskilling Helps you Grasp and Master Business Aspects you were not confident with
Suppose you have been struggling with a particular area of IT such as website development, upskilling can help you close your skill gap(s). You will become more valuable to your employer.
Tips on Selecting the Most Beneficial IT Skills Upskilling Course
Now that you understand the potential benefits of mastering basic IT skills plus in-depth ones through upskilling, here are a few tips that will help you chose the best upskilling course in IT.
Select your Preferred Course
When you are looking into selecting an IT upskilling course, ask yourself the following questions:
- Will this course help me advance my career?
- Will this IT course add value to my portfolio?
- Will the skills I garner make me more profitable?
- Will I enjoy what is to be taught in this course?
Once you answer yes to all of the above, you have a course that suits your needs. One may question why it is essential to select a course they enjoy. And the answer is simple:
When you do something you enjoy, you learn better.
Search for Sites that Offer the Course you are interested in
Once you already know what you want, go ahead and explore the internet, searching for a facility that provides it. Once you get there, the most important thing to look at is the curriculum provided plus the duration the course takes. This is to ensure that you get the right fit.
Settle on an IT Course provider that is within your Budget
Education is valuable, but that does not mean that it should cost you an arm and a leg. Compare cost and duration of your courses. Sticking to your budget minimize financial stress so you can focus on your study.
Be keen on the Reviews offers by past students
The best reference point to find out if a specific IT upskilling course is practical is past students. Most times, you will find this information on their website, but you must dig a bit deeper to find out more. Look at review sites and even ask away on social media platforms to get the info you need. One other source of such information is someone you know. They offer the most trusted data on how the lessons are taught, and they can confirm if the IT upskilling course is value for the money.
You must go for a course and a course provider with the best reviews and the ones that offer the most information.
Opt for Certificate IT courses
Since you are upskilling, you rarely have time to partake in a course that will take you a lot of time. Especially if you are already in a job, taking a course that is over six months and full-time is a hustle. So how do you bypass this?
Easy
You take a certificate IT Upskilling course.
They are just as in-depth and informative, and the best part is that they take you 4-12 weeks. And after that, you get your credentials updated, all while you work.
Take Away
Adding more skills to your IT portfolio is vital because it boosts your qualifications, helps with your career progression, and makes you more marketable. Upskilling increases both job security and income potential.
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