Given the competitive nature of companies in the modern business environment, who all strive to deliver excellent client service whilst still being profitable and maintaining a competitive edge, their values should continuously be focused on upskilling employees to ensure work is done more efficiently, accurately and of better quality than competitors.

Upskilling is defined as “improving the skills of employees, usually through training and new challenging work, so that they will be better at their jobs”. Every employee is different and requires different additional training to enable them to work more efficiently and accurately within the scope of client needs. In general, it is better to distinguish between personal- and work development as both these focus areas provide the employee with essential tools to deliver work of higher quality, as well as excellent client service. Providing training to employees that enhances personal- and work development will ensure a well-rounded employee with better technical and interpersonal skills.
The constant upskilling of employees holds the following benefits for a company:

• Constantly raising the bar of your company
Employees that receive training and development in the company’s industry will contribute to the company being able to offer the best possible client service and product. The power of a satisfied client should never be underestimated as word of mouth is one of the best marketing tools for any company.

• Ever-changing technology within the business environment
Advances in technology form a massive part of any company in the modern business environment as it contributes to more effective and efficient service delivery. It is therefore of utmost importance to ensure that all employees are capable to utilise the company’s technologic resources at its optimised level, as this will ensure a more profitable, timely and effective output. It is also important to ensure that the company as a whole is continuously improving and upgrading the technological resources available to employees to stay ahead of the curve. With continuous upskill training and innovation, employees can stay up to date with new technology and technological changes, which is a significant competitive edge within the industry.

• Feed and encourage your employees’ passion
Every company’s workforce is made up of totally different individuals with different needs and passions in life. To upskill your employees with tools that drive their personal and work passion is very challenging but also very important. A motivated employee with a passion for their work is a happy employee as they enjoy what they are doing and develop new skills to better themselves while doing it.

By implementing these focus areas, a company will ensure upskilled, well-trained, effective and happy employees with a better work environment. This will directly affect the company’s values, profitability and client satisfaction as a happy employee is more focused, works harder and gets better results.

In conclusion, by focusing on and constantly upskilling your employees you can change every employee from a liability that needs to get paid, to the best and most important asset of your company. Thus, a happy employee is an asset.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)