A STUDY for the 2013 Kelly Global Workforce Index found that 57 per cent of the respondents said getting a promotion was the main motivation for learning new skills or for seeking additional training.
Respondents of that study also listed on-the-job experience as the preferred way to develop skills for career growth, while others cited continued education and training as another avenue they’ve considered. In the Asia Pacific Region alone, 69 per cent of respondents considered or have sought education or training for their career growth.
Upskilling — the process of learning new skills or of teaching workers new skills — is often offered by companies to their employees, by sending them to courses and seminars.
However, if your company currently doesn’t offer any upskilling opportunities, here are a few options you could consider to increase your skill sets.
Short courses
There are plenty of these courses at tertiary education providers that are tailored for professional development. Most of these courses are designed to fit the schedule of working adults, with classes held after office hours. Of course, it would be beneficial to inform your management that you’re taking these classes. Who knows? If you’re lucky, they might partially subsidise the fees.
Online courses
This isn’t technically a new concept as distance learning has been around for some time. Today, anyone with access to Internet is able to enrol in accredited online courses based on their career needs. Lectures are either done via live stream or based on recorded lecture sessions and the coursework is submitted electronically without having to leave the comfort of your home.
FREE online courses
There are options to upskill without having to fork out any money, with websites such as edx.org or coursera.org offering a variety of subjects to choose from. However, there are limitations to free online courses; the subjects made available are limited in number or are not relevant to your line of work. However, exploring these options could open up pathways in your career in different areas. For a small fee, you are even given the option of obtaining a certificate from the course providers, to prove that you have successfully completed the programme.
There are many other things to consider though, if you intend to upskill on your own time and at your own cost. As mentioned earlier, you should consult with the management at your workplace on your intention to upskill. Another crucial aspect to consider is the reputation and credentials of the course providers you are considering.
With the options listed above, it’s clear that you shouldn’t depend solely on your employers to provide you with upskilling opportunities. The opportunities are everywhere nowadays, so it’s really up to you to take charge and start to be in control of your future growth.
This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! — an initiative driven by Faradale Media-M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak — to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.