What Is Digital Upskilling? A Guide and Resources

What is digital upskilling?

Digital upskilling involves providing training resources for relevant and useful digital skills to ensure your workforce can keep pace with digital transformation.

Organizations should make digital upskilling a priority element of any internal digital transformation strategy. Companies face a significant risk of putting off ROI gains from digital solutions if their workforce is unable to use those solutions effectively. 

The widening digital skills gap

The skills gap is that space between the skills employers need to continue growing their organization and the skills workers possess. Employers are feeling increasing pressure from the widening skills gap. The skills gap has even lengthened the hiring process as companies struggle to find candidates that possess the skills required to fill open positions.

Expanding technology roles

As companies increasingly rely on technology to conduct business, they need more workers who are skilled in developing, managing, and implementing technology solutions to support their operations.

Digital skills in demand for non-technical roles

The demand for digital literacy is high across non-technical roles as well and demonstrates the transition of these roles into a much more digital space.

Data analysis and automation are two key drivers of digital upskilling in non-technology roles.

With the exponential growth of available data, digital skills have become essential to fields that rely on reporting and advanced data analysis, such as evaluating program effectiveness or identifying optimization opportunities in processes.

Gaining C-suite buy-in

Half of all L&D leaders report a strong working relationship with C-suite executives, a number that has experienced a 16% increase year over year. 

Gaining buy-in from organization leaders is vital for securing the budget and carving out employee time to take part in these necessary upskilling programs.

Working with digital transformation stakeholders

Since digital transformation affects every role in every sector, your L&D team needs to identify and work closely with other leaders in your organization to ensure their team’s digital upskilling needs are met.

Identifying digital skills that support business goals

Once you have the backing of the C-suite and the cooperation of department leaders, you can start zeroing in on the specific skills your workforce needs to excel through digital transformation.

The following learning paths offer training in digital skills for career fields most impacted by digital transformation and can help you quickly and effectively launch your digital upskilling program: