Reasons to love what you do: what’s behind the return to skills
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From TV shows to consumer trends and our own careers, we can’t get enough of skills. Here we explore what’s behind this shift and how it can benefit everyone. It’s hard to find a more mutually beneficial solution – and one with more economic advantages – than upskilling in the workplace. With structured support from the government, employees can reap the rewards of bolstered job security, career growth and promotion, as well as the psychological boost gleaned from mastering something new. While, whether offering entry level placements to attract fresh talent, or training bootcamps that enable existing staff to progress – businesses can benefit from a staff-led glow up that boosts everything from revenue to morale.
![[During his T Level placement at Simmal, Jacob (left) honed his design skills and engineering knowledge]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/16/17/Simmal-Luke-and-Jacob-Machining-Aluminium-on-1060HS-5-Axis-CNC-Machine.jpg)
Here we delve more deeply into the socio-economic triggers behind the return to skills – and the many benefits for both workers and businesses. In the past, the ‘traditional’ career path went like this: finish school with a range of skills, complete higher education or a degree in one skill area, find a job, climb the ranks (often within the same company), then retire. However, very few people are able – or indeed, want – to follow that outdated playbook today. Against the backdrop of a volatile jobs market, advances in technology, increasingly expensive higher education and longer life spans, the traditional linear career path has been replaced by a squigglier approach.
By fostering a progressive, supportive working environment with skills development at the fore, businesses will both attract and retain employees. The same LinkedIn survey revealed that nine in ten UK businesses are concerned about talent retention, yet consider the provision of learning opportunities the best strategy for keeping employees loyal. While companies with strong learning and development programs see 32 per cent higher employee retention rates compared to those without.
