null

Why you should upskill during lockdown

28th Apr 2020

Why you should upskill during lockdown

Upskilling is a term you’ve most likely heard before – but what does it mean? And is a global pandemic really the best time to try and learn something new?

What is upskilling and why is it important to YOU?

Upskilling is the process of learning new skills and furthering your knowledge in order to be better suited to face new challenges in the workplace. Technology has brought about constant change and evolution, and upskilling holds the key to staying one step ahead of the pack.

But why now?

COVID 19 and Lockdown have put a dampener on all our routines, but it doesn’t have to be a completely negative experience. Thanks to the power of the internet and online course material, you can turn your home in to an educational hub. This means that you can use this time in isolation to better your own skills and become indispensable during these harsh economic times.

Here are some reasons why upskilling and online learning can be your silver lining during the dark cloud of COVID-19.

Retainability

You’re not alone - times are uncertain and job security is a fear we are all dealing with. It isn’t all doom and gloom, though. This extra time at home means it’s the perfect opportunity to invest in yourself via online learning. Did you know that 73% of managers would rather have their team upskill themselves than go through the process of hiring new staff? Investing in education is always a good idea, but Lockdown restrictions mean that NOW is the BEST TIME to sharpen up your skills, expand your knowledge and stand out to your boss as an irreplaceable part of the team.

Earning Potential

Salary negotiations – two words that can make even the coolest of us start to sweat. Luckily, your newfound skills and competencies will give you an extra edge in these meetings and you can leverage them to help prove exactly why you deserve that bonus. Another benefit of upskilling is that you’ll increase your pool of competencies. This means that you’ll be able to complete a wider scope of work – which is often accompanied by extra incentives. In a time where every cent means so much more, this is a welcomed benefit.

But why study online?


Flexibility

As a working professional it can be near impossible to find the time to attend classes at a physical campus. Social distancing has only exasperated this issue. The best part of living in a digital world is that we can bring the classroom to us. Another level of convenience is that your study schedule is entirely up to you. Zoom meetings all day til 5? Simply log in at 7 and pick up where you left off. Online education means that it has never been easier or more convenient to learn something new.

Connection (without contact)

Distance learning is not a synonym for an isolated experience. In the time of social distancing, the online classroom has replaced the traditional lecture hall - but this doesn’t have to be as lonely as you might think. Forums, chat functions, camera to camera lectures and live Q&A’s all help to reduce the distance between you and your virtual classmates .