Upskilling, which involves learning new skills or improving existing ones, is not a luxury but a necessity in the HR profession. It aims to enhance one’s expertise and make him or her more proficient in HR work. It is not surprising that HR professionals are constantly upskilling either to remain competitive in their current roles or to pursue new opportunities. However, this pursuit is not without its challenges. Here are common hurdles that they encounter and strategies on how to overcome them effectively.
Time Constraints
Time is often the most precious resource for anyone who wants to pursue a number of personal and professional goals. It can be overwhelming to juggle a full-time job, personal commitments, and the additional time required for training or education. To find the right balance can be an elusive struggle for the faint-hearted.
The keys to time management are prioritisation and planning. Create a detailed schedule that allocates specific time blocks for upskilling. Treat these blocks as you would any other important task.
Online learning offers flexibility to enable you to learn at your own pace. Microlearning, breaking down learning into smaller, manageable sessions, can be helpful. Remember to explore employer support such as paid study leave or early time off to attend evening classes.
Financial Burden
Whichever courses, certifications, and training programmes you may want to undertake, they often come with a price tag. This financial burden can be a significant deterrent when seeking to enhance your skills.
Research and apply for scholarships on the training or education you seek. Check if your employer’s training policy has provisions for tuition reimbursement or any other financial support. Alternatively, allocate a portion of your income to upskilling.
As a last resort, utilise free or low-cost online resources such as open educational platforms and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
Lack of Motivation
It can be challenging to maintain motivation throughout the upskilling journey, particularly when the results are not immediately evident. Over time, it would be easy to lose interest and enthusiasm.
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To provide yourself motivation and direction, set clear, achievable goals, both short-term and long-term. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, to maintain a sense of progress. Partner with a colleague or friend who shares similar upskilling goals to provide mutual support. Visualising how your newly acquired skills will benefit your career can be a powerful motivator.
Information Overload
Although the digital age has brought an overwhelming amount of information and resources, you may struggle to sift through the plethora of materials. Sometimes it may not be easy to know where to start or what to focus on.
Begin by setting clear learning objectives, defining what you want to learn and which specific skills you wish to acquire. Utilise reputable sources or educational platforms that offer structured, curated learning paths. To ensure you are on the right track, seek feedback from mentors, instructors, or peers. Prepare a well-planned schedule that balances learning, practice, and application of new skills. It can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Fear of Obsolescence
You may often worry that your upskilling efforts are not sufficient to secure you a senior job. Given the rapid pace of technological and industry changes, advancing in your career may become a pipe dream.
There is a need to understand that upskilling is a continuous process. Embrace a mindset of lifelong learning to adapt to evolving trends. To guide your upskilling choices, stay informed about industry news, trends, and emerging technologies. Build a professional network and engage in discussions with peers who can share insights about the relevance of your chosen skills. To reduce the risk of acquiring obsolete skills, focus on transferable ones with broad applicability across different roles and industries.
Upskilling is essential for career development in the current and future dynamic HR jobs market. Its process is as valuable as the intended destination. You are never too late to start or continue your lifelong learning.
The writer is HRD Consultant and Author of Transition into Retirement; [email protected]
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