8 Innovative Upskilling Strategies For Small Businesses

How Can You Achieve Effective Upskilling On A Budget?

In a world where technology trends appear faster than ever, skill development has become increasingly important. The World Economic Forum has identified the 2020s as the decade of upskilling, predicting that in the next few years, at least 50% of the current workforce will require training to keep up with industry demands. While large corporations often have comprehensive employee training programs and dedicated budgets, smaller businesses may struggle to provide similar learning opportunities. However, they can still remain competitive without breaking the bank by leveraging some of the innovative upskilling strategies for small businesses we discuss below.

Upskilling Strategies Tailored To The Needs Of Small Businesses

1. Use Online Learning Platforms

An easy way for businesses to launch an upskilling process for their employees is to explore online learning platforms. Websites such as Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning have taken knowledge democratization to a new level, providing high-quality content at a low cost. Businesses can encourage their employees to capitalize on the training courses available on these platforms, working together to identify the ones best suited to their current position and potential future goals. All they have to do is cover subscription costs, and their employees will gain access to a wealth of learning resources.

2. Leverage Technology

Small businesses can also use Learning Management Systems to create an efficient employee upskilling strategy. LMSs can help you develop and organize learning materials, track progress, and take advantage of innovative technologies such as microlearning and gamification. Additionally, they provide actionable feedback that can be utilized to motivate employees and make data-based adjustments in the future. You shouldn’t worry about the cost being a deterring factor, as there is a large variety of LMSs available to suit every budget. Make sure your training material is accessible on mobile devices to allow your employees to learn at their own pace and in any location.

3. Encourage Mentoring And Peer-To-Peer Learning

Your current staff may be the best resource for employee upskilling. Experienced employees who have been with your company for a long time certainly possess valuable knowledge that newer employees will struggle to find elsewhere. Make sure to take advantage of this resource by establishing mentoring programs and encouraging peer-to-peer learning. This way, employees can educate each other on their field of expertise, thus facilitating knowledge sharing as well as relationship building among employees. Effective collaboration among employees can foster a culture of continuous learning in your organization, which will ensure innovation and growth in the future.

4. Establish Employee-Led Professional Development Plans

Despite having fewer resources for employee upskilling, small businesses should consider personalized development plans as an essential part of the process. Having a plan, albeit simple, creates a sense of accountability among employees and establishes a baseline for future performance reviews or adjustments to the upskilling strategy. Make sure to involve employees in the creation of their training development plans, allowing them to share their interests and have control over the direction of their professional development. This will increase employee involvement and satisfaction, ultimately resulting in better learning outcomes.

5. Utilize Job Rotation

Another innovative upskilling strategy small businesses can leverage is job rotation. This involves employees switching departments or teams for a limited period to explore roles beyond their area of expertise. This approach helps employees acquire a well-rounded perspective of their organization, understanding how other teams contribute to overarching organizational goals and how they collaborate with their own teams. Additionally, it brings excitement to everyday routine, shaking things up for employees and teaching them something new. Finally, job rotation nurtures flexibility within your organization and ensures better preparedness in challenging situations.

6. Provide Career Advancement Opportunities

An essential component of an innovative and effective upskilling strategy is employee motivation. In other words, your employees must be excited to participate in learning courses and take the necessary steps to enhance their knowledge and skills. And what better way to do that than providing them with career advancement opportunities? Encouraging internal mobility can push your staff to explore their capabilities and identify areas for improvement, potentially leading to a significant promotion. At the same time, it allows organizations to gain a clearer understanding of their staff’s skills to effectively fill emerging skill gaps.

7. Collaborate With Freelancers And Specialized Consultants

As technology continues to evolve, niche knowledge is becoming increasingly necessary. However, as a small business, you may not have the financial resources to hire such an expert full-time. Nevertheless, you can explore the more cost-effective option of bringing in freelance experts to train your existing employees. This way, you can address the needs of your ongoing projects while giving your employees the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge by working alongside these experts. In due time, your employees will be able to take on more and more responsibilities, thus eliminating the need for external consultants.

8. Encourage Self-Directed Learning

Small businesses that want to upskill their employees must instill a sense of accountability and responsibility in them. This involves motivating them to take control of their learning journey and seek training and development individually. That, of course, requires the business to create a sufficient library of training resources employees can use for self-directed learning. If internal eLearning development is not possible, make sure to set up a learning fund to cover fees for online courses, workshops, seminars, and so on. By following this approach, employees will become more invested in their development and ensure that your organization is well-equipped to remain successful.

Conclusion

Upskilling is essential for businesses to adapt to rapidly evolving market conditions, embrace new technologies, and increase employee engagement and productivity. Although upskilling may sound costly, there are various cost-effective alternatives for small businesses with limited budgets. Innovative upskilling strategies, such as online learning platforms, mentoring, job rotation, self-directed learning, and more, can provide your employees with valuable knowledge while keeping costs low. Explore the alternatives we offered in this article to identify the ones that will help your business continue to drive growth and innovation.