Five key considerations for upskilling your staff
Why on- the- job training and upskilling can improve staff retention, improve team culture, and set your business apart in a new world.
The Covid-19 pandemic has hit many Kiwi businesses hard. But others in sectors like manufacturing and engineering have emerged stronger post-lockdown.
Our unexpected year has highlighted the importance of workforces being adaptable and open to new processes, technology, and ensuring teams are up-to-date with the latest skills (through on-the-job microcredentials, traineeships, or apprenticeships).
Does your business need to upskill its staff? Here are five considerations for any businesses:
Is your company looking at ways to improve?
We’re now officially in a recession. For many businesses the way to survive and thrive will be to stand out in a competitive landscape - whether a large corporate or family-run SME.
Upskilling your team can leave you with a competitive advantage - through happier, more engaged employees, and will position your firm as a great place to work.
Engaged staff have also been shown to provide better productivity. Additionally, businesses can formally train staff to implement more productive ways of working with qualifications such as Competitive Systems and Practices.
Do you have the skills to adapt to a changing industry landscape?
In the past decade automation and technology have transformed the manufacturing and heavy industry, and this year’s lockdowns have forced many Kiwi businesses to further consider modernising their production process.
Having adaptable technical skills is vital to staying ahead of the curve. But increasingly important are the softer skills that will also help a workforce stay nimble.
While it’s important for older workers to stay up to date with the latest tech, the next generation must also possess a modern skillset.
Does your workforce have the digital literacy, critical thinking, leadership, continuous improvement and communication skills to pivot?
It could be the difference between merely surviving and thriving in the post-Covid-era.
Is on-the-job training beneficial to your business?
Training staff in new skills can help your business stay agile and successful, while improving employee engagement. Feeling part of the solution can incentivise a team, improving culture and morale.
Learning new skills can take time, but is highly rewarding for business and staff, who can gain new on-the-job qualifications. Using ‘down-time’ during slower periods is the perfect opportunity to upskill.
Some courses are eligible for government funding - which can make training affordable.
Could on-the-job training and apprenticeships build the skill set your company needs?
Skills shortages are the primary issue many businesses face, even in a recession. But with balance-sheets under extra pressure post-Covid, hiring new staff can be an impossible ask.
Bringing in an apprentice, or retraining loyal experienced staff, might be a better fit for your company than completely new hires.
Employee training programmes can help without breaking the bank in a challenging business environment. Your business may qualify for free apprenticeships or traineeships under the $1.6 billion Trades and Apprenticeships Training Package the government announced in May.
And in addition, the Apprenticeship Boost offers eligible employers a subsidy of $1000 per month for each first-year apprentice and $500 per month for each second-year apprentice, for a maximum of 20 months.
Can training and upskilling make your business more attractive?
Providing a nurturing environment for employees also makes good business sense. Developing, training, and improving staff skills not only makes your people more engaged, it bolsters your reputation as a great place to work.
Staff who have been welltrained benefit from better career prospects and will be grateful for the opportunity. Employees who you have gone the extra mile to help are more likely to be loyal and repay your faith. Knowing that you invest in up-skilling and on-the-job qualifications also increases appeal with prospective recruits.
If you’re thinking about the benefits of upskilling, contact Competenz, New Zealand’s industry training organisation for the engineering, manufacturing, forestry and print industries.
For advice on funding opportunities, training for apprenticeships and other on-the-job qualifications, visit www.competenz.org.nz.