Navigating the AI skills gap with upskilling and reskilling

This informal CPD article, ‘Navigating the AI skills gap with upskilling and reskilling‘, was provided by Christina Gialleli, Director of People Ops at Epignosis, the parent company behind TalentLMS, on a mission to empower organizations and their people on the path to greatness through impactful learning experiences.

Recent tech advancements have disrupted the workplace, and AI is at the forefront of this digital transformation. But it’s not just about making the workplace more efficient. The changing landscape requires new skills from employees. Recent data¹ revealed that 43% of HR managers think their company will face a skills gap because of the rise of AI. In addition, more than half of workers expect AI to impact their industry and jobs.² While one in three is already integrating AI into their daily tasks.

Fast-evolving technology is transforming how we work. However, it’s not all challenges. AI opens up new opportunities for employees to acquire new knowledge, focus on more fulfilling tasks, and unlock their productivity.

As AI takes center stage, companies are grappling with crucial questions: Which skills are vital for employees, and what's the path to develop them? In this article, we'll explore how to bridge the skills gap and pave the way for a brighter, AI-driven future with upskilling and reskilling.

The role of upskilling and reskilling in the AI era

Skill gaps in the workplace are like roadblocks. They slow down projects and make employees feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities. By removing those roadblocks, and overcoming skills gaps with training programs, companies can:

• Gain a competitive advantage: A well-trained workforce with up-to-date knowledge can develop innovative ideas and quickly respond to shifting industry trends, helping your company become a leader in the field.
• Cultivate a learning culture: When you invest in reskilling and upskilling, you create a workplace where learning never stops. This approach inspires your workforce to stay curious, be open to new knowledge, and remain adaptable.
• Improve retention rates: Employees who improve their skills are typically happier with their jobs and tend to stay longer in their company.

Building an employee upskilling and reskilling program

As organizations grapple with AI’s impact, they're realizing the value of employee upskilling and reskilling with many turning to these strategies to bridge the skills gap caused by AI. But what exactly do these programs include?

Essential skills for upskilling and reskilling in the AI era

AI training is not just about tech skills. The changing workplace also calls for skills that make for great teams. Beyond digital expertise—interpersonal abilities, cognitive skills, and self-management are keys to success.

These are the hard-hitting skills for the AI era:

• #1 Interpersonal skill: Active listening
• #1 Cognitive skill: Problem-solving
• #1 Self-management skill: Adaptability and agility

Training methods to upskill and reskill your workforce

Each person learns in their own special way. Some thrive in traditional face-to-face training, finding it engaging and interactive. Others, however, prefer the convenience of online courses, absorbing information at their own pace.

To meet these varied learning styles, you can offer a mix of training methods. It's also a great idea to gather employee feedback through surveys. This way, you can align your upskilling and reskilling goals with what most employees want.

Overcoming challenges in AI upskilling and reskilling

The road to employee upskilling and reskilling is not always an easy one, with just one-third of skill-development programs succeeding³. Knowing the potential challenges, though, can help address them.

Difficulty in identifying skill sets to target

Identifying the right skills to focus on through upskilling and reskilling can be quite challenging, given the ever-changing nature of AI. Additionally, it's not always straightforward to identify needed skills for specific teams or roles, or whether the emphasis should be on digital skills or human skills.

Solution: Conduct a thorough skills gap assessment to identify the AI-related skills and technologies your organization needs. Engage your employees in this process to gather insights about their current skills and future aspirations. Consider using AI-driven tools for data analysis. Regularly reassess and adjust your training programs based on the evolving needs of your workforce.

Employee resistance

Engagement is key for effective training. Employees might be motivated to get training on new skills if they know this will help them advance their career. But, if they are worried about losing their jobs because of AI, they might not see the value of training. This can lead to resistance, which, in turn, can slow down the upskilling process.

Solution: Communicate a clear career path. Besides explaining the benefits and creating a supportive learning environment, address their concerns about job security and a steep learning curve. Most importantly, show your employees how AI skills relate to their growth within the company. This will motivate them to embrace AI skills despite their initial concerns.

Budget constraints

Budget constraints can be a significant roadblock when implementing AI training, especially for smaller companies. Many organizations desire a highly skilled workforce but lack the financial resources to make such investments.

Solution: Opt for online training and ready-made courses. Leverage an online training platform for more cost-effective and sustainable learning. By creating content for online training just once, you can use it multiple times, reducing your training expenses. Plus, when your training content is online, you don’t have to worry that your courses will become redundant fast as AI tech is evolving. You can easily update all materials and keep your learners up to speed. In addition, to keep your expenses in check, consider giving your employees access to a library of online courses, ensuring high-quality content.

Encouraging lifelong learning

Skills now become outdated in under five years on average⁴, and in certain tech sectors, that lifespan can shrink to just two and a half years. In the age of AI, it's crucial for people to keep learning to advance in their roles. To make this happen, update your training programs regularly and encourage a culture of lifelong learning. In this culture, your employees will actively seek new knowledge, share it with colleagues, and apply what they've learned in their jobs. And, most importantly, they’ll be ready to thrive in the AI-driven world of work.

We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Talent LMS, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.

References:

1 https://www.talentlms.com/research/skills-for-ai-powered-future

2 https://www.randstad.com/workforce-insights/future-work/ai-threatening-jobs-most-workers-say-technology-an-accelerant-for-career-growth/

3 https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/five-fifty-the-skillful-corporation

4 https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/EPYMNBJA