To stay competitive, your business needs to adapt to the latest trends. That’s why upskilling is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

Per Scholas’ instructor-led training programs offer your technical team the high-quality training it deserves. As a result, you can optimize productivity, innovation, adaptability, and employee retention.

Below, learn about IT’s evolution and the importance of upskilling.

How IT Is Evolving

Did you know that 98% of organizations now use some form of cloud computing? Or that 42% of companies with over 1,000 employees have actively deployed AI? Experts predict AI will experience an annual growth rate of around 30% from 2024 to 2030 in North America alone.

Technologies like AI, the cloud, and geotargeting aren’t going anywhere. So, you need to quickly develop innovative solutions and upskill your team to remain relevant.

And this is just the start. Over the next few years, new technologies will likely emerge and dominate the IT space. Plus, AI will become smarter and continue to disrupt various industries.

You can’t bury your head in the sand any longer!

With the digital revolution in full swing, now’s a good time to invest in upskilling. Otherwise, you could be left behind.

Upskilling as a Long-Term Strategic Solution

More than half of companies in the U.S. say recruiting skilled tech workers is a major challenge. It seems like there isn’t enough talent to go around.

One reason for this is that technology is advancing so quickly. The “half-life” of certain skills is decreasing by the day, with most niche technical skills becoming outdated in just 2.5 years. So, finding qualified staff is really difficult.

Investing in upskilling is the only way to deal with the current tech talent shortage. It’s no longer an option for most companies but critical for staying competitive. You can develop a more competent and productive workforce by teaching your technical team new skills. It’s that simple.

So, what happens if you don’t upskill? Well, your team won’t have knowledge of the latest technology trends and best practices. They might even become irrelevant and unable to help your company compete with rivals.

Other Benefits of Upskilling Your Tech Employees

Upskilling doesn’t just make your team stronger. The right technical training can reduce talent acquisition costs significantly. Hiring a new employee costs around three to four times a position’s salary. So, upskilling your current team can save you more money in the long run.

Training your tech employees can also improve retention. Employees might be more likely to stay at your company when you invest in their career development. Upskilling proves you care about your team members’ personal goals, which can boost morale and engagement.

A massive 99% percent of organizations say they have benefited from upskilling. Many of these companies have experienced increased flexibility and other advantages.

That said, developing a generic upskilling program isn’t enough to stay competitive. Companies implementing more advanced training report more innovation, productivity, growth, and other benefits.

Quiet hiring, for example, is an upskilling approach that can boost your business. It happens when an employee takes on a completely new role in your company and develops new responsibilities.

“By focusing on upskilling in this way, employers are outlining clear career development pathways for existing employees, which can increase engagement and motivation,” says HR Magazine.

Upskilling Best Practices

Here are some ways to build an advanced upskilling program in your organization:

• You need to get your team on board for the most successful upskilling results. Explain the benefits of ongoing skills training and how it can benefit their career development.
• Foster a culture of learning in your organization. Employees should develop a growth mindset and feel passionate about expanding their skill sets.
• Work with a training company that believes in your team and can help you close tech talent gaps.

The Per Scholas Approach

Per Scholas does upskilling differently. We combine instructor-led training and customization to meet the specific needs of your talented team members.

Our tailored training programs:

• Increase accountability, with human instructors keeping your employees engaged at all times.
• Provide real-time feedback, with instructors identifying areas of training that need further clarification.
• Ensure your team stays relevant by teaching the newest IT skills and industry developments.
• Provide the latest IT certifications for your team, such as CISM, CISSP, and CompTIA A+.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What Happens Now?

As IT continues to evolve, upskilling your employees can keep your business moving forward. You’ll overcome the current tech skills shortage, increase retention, improve productivity, and help employees develop their careers.

Per Scholas is the best choice for upskilling because of our flexible and customizable instructor-led programs. For almost three decades, we’ve unlocked the untapped potential of tech teams and met the needs of employers like you.

Still not convinced? Here are some stats you should know:

• We’ve trained more than 25,000 learners.
• We have more than 20 campuses nationwide.
• We have more than 850 employer partners.

Want to maintain a competitive edge and stay up-to-date with the latest IT skills? Team up with us today!