Digitization in the business world is evolving more quickly than the available workforce can keep up with. This creates a gap between digital transformation and employees’ existing skills to cope with the change. As a result, the business world is facing a huge gap between the demand for technical skills and the supply of employees who possess them.
Companies that want to compete in this ever-changing business landscape are seeking workers with digital transformation skills in areas like artificial intelligence, coding, and cloud computing. The commitment companies make to address the technical skills gap determines their ability to get the most from untapped talent in their workforce while ensuring no one is left behind.
Understand what skills your business needs the most
What specific skills does your business need employees to possess? Answering this question ensures you build a pipeline of employees suitably trained for the digitized industry. The best way to answer this question is by identifying the skills future workers will need in terms of technical and job-specific skills, emotional skills, communicative skills, and relational skills.
These skills play a crucial role in closing the digital transformation skills gap. You should set standards that determine whether or not an employee possesses the necessary skills.
Invest in a digital training program
Companies should invest in digital training to upgrade their workforce’s skills and reduce the technical skills gap. Your business will have the right tools to implement digital technologies successfully.
The training should be a holistic solution that develops digital skills within the current workforce and the previously untapped talent pools. For example, the digital training program should retrain people to equip them with skills to work in new areas. Such a program can be a new way to attract and retain high-quality talents that help close the skills gap.
The digital transformation program should help you prepare for future innovations and disruption. Some training opportunities include University courses, Digital transformation events, Seminars, and webinars. Encourage your workers to participate in such digital skills development programs. You not only will be investing in your teams and their growth, but you’ll also be investing in the future of your business.
Harness the power of technology to facilitate continuous learning
Businesses can create tailored courseware for upskilling and reskilling their employees on online learning platforms. Online learning platforms can help you stay on top of digital transformation with courses like data science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning.
Using online learning technology gives you control of your employees’ digital training. Self-paced learning and on-demand learning resources make the platforms efficient and convenient for businesses.
Hire workers outside your usual talent pools
Businesses looking to bridge skill gaps need to look for talent beyond their regular talent pools. For example, they can hire workers with diverse backgrounds—young population and minority groups. With a diverse workforce, you can tap into a wider pool of underutilized talent and high-potential employees.
According to a McKinsey report, a diverse workforce drives both results and innovation, helping you bridge the skills gap in your business.
Today, enterprises have the opportunity to contribute to economic growth, add value to the companies, and encourage equity. As employees reinvent themselves by upskilling, they play a key part in addressing the increasing need for digital skills.
