What is Upskilling?
Definition
Upskilling is the process of teaching employees new skills to improve their performance in their current role or prepare them for advancement. Examples include a customer service rep learning social media communication skills, or an engineer learning cloud architecture. Upskilling is distinct from reskilling (training for a different role); it is about doing the current job better or preparing for the next level. Companies invest in upskilling to close skills gaps, boost performance, and improve retention by showing commitment to employee growth.
Upskilling at a glance.
Upskilling: Growing Talent You Already Have
Upskilling is the most cost-effective investment in talent. Training a current employee to do a new task costs a fraction of recruiting and onboarding a new hire. Plus, existing employees already know your culture and systems; they need only skill training. Upskilling also improves retention: employees who see clear growth paths and receive development stay longer. When technology changes (e.g., adoption of a new CRM), upskilling existing sales reps is faster and more effective than hiring new ones.
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Read the guideUpskilling — frequently asked
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