Why it’s important to keep your IT skills up to date
The technology around us changes so quickly it’s difficult to keep up with. But for those workers who do update their IT skills, the rewards are plenty.
IT skills are falling behind
Information Technology is integral to most people’s day-to-day life and to business success, often playing a crucial role in developing a competitive edge.
Yet many voices are raising concerns that, as a nation, we are falling globally in our IT skills. Around 50% of the UK workforce lacks Essential Digital Skills (EDS), and a recent report paints a concerning picture:
- Over three quarters of the global workforce don’t feel ready to work in a digital world, but in the UK that rises to 80%.
- 43% of UK workers feel overwhelmed by the rate of technological change.
- Collaboration technologies are viewed as the most important digital workplace skill for the next five years.
- 90% of workers will need to learn new skills by 2030.
With just 23% of employees reporting any digital skills training from their employer, it’s easy to understand why we are falling behind.
Which IT skills should we update?
There is a vast array of Information technology equipment and software out there but, in work, we must focus on the IT that has the biggest impact on our ability to do our jobs.
Bespoke company software needs to be a priority, but tools for project management, communications, database management and data analysis can have an indirect impact on productivity. Cyber security is also essential, given the rising risk of cybercrime.
IT users also need to bear in mind that their IT tools evolve and are likely to be replaced by updated or new versions.
Even if you have done some training on a new database or developed your social media skills, learning is an ongoing process and a commitment is needed to stay current. Through-life training should become an integral part of your career, otherwise you will fall behind and see competitors benefit from skills delivered and maintained through regular training.
What does up-to-date training deliver for a business?
Developing skills, through training your workforce, delivers a swift and positive return, adding value to your business:
- Builds confidence in employees using technology. They become more willing to explore the capabilities of their IT, are more creative in implementing it and advocate IT skills to colleagues.
- Productivity and efficiency increase as people work smarter using their full IT skills. They create more efficient processes, work quicker and drive competitive advantage.
- People collaborate better, connecting different parts of their organisation and creating a more cohesive organisation that shares tools and ideas more easily, using a range of communication platforms.
- IT can deliver better data and insights. Employing it throughout your business and training staff to understand its output will widen awareness and build an information advantage.
- Users are less frustrated with their IT when they feel confident about using it. A lack of training can create a vicious circle of people not using systems because they don’t understand them, which means they never learn to use it better.
- Regular training ensures an up-to-date understanding of cyber risks, how to keep software updated and how to protect systems and data from cybercrime.
Training to suit all needs
Despite the many reasons for keeping IT training up to date, there are still barriers that make it hard to commit. Cost, convenience, time and confidence all make it difficult to fit training into already busy schedules.
Or there may be a mental block; maybe people don’t engage because they aren’t confident about understanding the training.
We talked recently about how learning doesn’t have to be time consuming and with the availability of online, in-person or hybrid training options, it’s possible to find a solution that suits your business.
At 365 Training Consultants we offer a broad range of training services, from focused training for new IT adopters, to group sessions and coaching for IT champions.
We understand the importance of keeping IT skills up to date because it can expand your business potential, so we will help you to find the training solution that works best for you and your team.
IT training support
If you would like to explore how our team can help your business get the most from your IT equipment and software via group training, one-to-one coaching and consulting services, then contact 365 Training Consultants today.
