5 unique ways to upskill your team

The skills your business needs are constantly evolving, but workforce development can’t depend on employees finding time to learn outside the workday. And when learning happens independently, it may not build the capabilities your organization needs most. Embedding learning into the flow of work creates a more intentional way to develop skills where they matter most.

1. Turn your best employees into peer teachers

If you have standout performers who have created standard operating procedures (SOPs), optimized your operations or are particularly talented in a specific, valuable area, offer them the opportunity to teach others.² You could:

Host a peer-led seminar series: Let others sign up to learn from someone they admire or about a subject they have a passion for.

Hold an internal conference with multiple peer contributors: Panel discussions on hot topics where team members can ask real-world questions right where they work? YES!

Hit record: Allow team members space to record a digital course that could be used in onboarding or whenever an existing employee is looking for an upskilling opportunity.

2. Create a mutual mentoring program

Everyone has something to teach another person. Pair up your employees and let them share their skills!

You can couple them based on similar functions, but mutual mentoring can be even more successful if they have different ones, as that can offer wider learning opportunities. By the way, if you choose to do this on a rotational basis, everyone will learn continually.

3. Go toward problems

Adopting a problem-first environment will give your team members the option to solve them.³

Present them with a problem and ask for unconventional solutions! They may shock you. Some people are too shy to come forward unless asked directly, but that doesn't mean the ideas aren't quietly brilliant.

4. Do rounds

When training to become doctors, medical trainees round on patients. You can do rounds, too! Don't let people get too comfortable (or bored). Micro-rotations for cross-training can help employees learn fresh skills and stay engaged.

When doing this, it's best to make a schedule and explain how these skills can help them understand the business better. Even if all they earn is a more accurate picture of what the business looks like holistically, that's worth it.

5. Build a formal professional development program

Fund it: Set aside dedicated funds for learning and development and let people know they are available.

Protect it: Guard certain hours from meetings so that team members can focus on learning.¹ It's all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day.

Align: Propose different learning opportunities aligned with business goals⁴ You can decide what makes sense. Some in-demand skills you may want your team members to learn in your upskill program include:

• AI literacy
• Critical thinking
• Adaptability
• Communication
• Data visualization
• Cybersecurity
• Customer service
• User experience
• Risk management
• Project management
• Account management

You can also pick tailored learning options based on your specific business. The following Harvard Business School questions⁴ can help you isolate the needed ones:⁴

• What direction is your organization moving in?
• What new products or services do you want to launch?
• What new markets do you plan to enter?
• What new technologies or systems are you hoping to implement, and what skills will be required on an organizational level to help you get there?

Highlight your program: Present your upskilling options to new hires and remind existing ones at regular intervals (example: at review time) that they can take advantage of the dollars. They will, as it's highly beneficial.

Pull back the curtain to show what team members can achieve from training: Outline how these new skills can translate into real roles within the organization. Clarifying a career path² can help you retain talent.

We hope these five methods help you successfully upskill your team. If you want a talent partner who fosters ongoing learning, connect with us.

Sources and inspiration

1. How to Upskill Your Employees, and Why You Should
2. 9 Expert Training Tips to Help Companies Upskill from Within
3. 20 Practical Ways To Upskill Employees For Long-Term Success
4. What to Know About Upskilling Your Workforce

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