Up-skill revolution

While unemployment rates rise as the year progresses, job security is on virtually every Australian’s mind. As the financial crisis sweeps the globe Australia’s economy and workforce is not immune. Over the past few months’ organisations in a variety of sectors from Qantas to Rio Tinto have felt the effects of the recession. Announcing job cuts as a result, these giants are contributing to the devastation felt by operations in Australia. As job opportunities diminish employees are being forced to up-skill or re-skill to fill jobs they were previously unqualified for. Workers becoming jobless are often finding themselves without the required skills for other fields of industry.

While unemployment rates reach 5.8% staff are taking their working future into their own hands by choosing to up-skill or re-skill. As job security niggles in the back of our minds employees are springing to action around the country, taking a proactive approach to securing their working future, proving when the going gets tough Australians get going. But what exactly is this up-skilling revolution?

The detail that separates the terms up-skill and re-skilling is whether the aim is to learn new skills or improve upon those already known. Up-skilling is the process of building upon or increasing the knowledge base of preexisting skills. Re-skilling is the training of new skills leading to employment in a different field.

The number of people looking for full-time work increased by 13,000 in July this year, providing an even greater need for up-skill and re-skilling. Chandler Macleod Group (CMG) executive general manager Peter Gleeson reveals that in Australia one in three candidates have been affected by joblessness either directly or indirectly. CMG specialise in HR consulting, workforce management, outsourcing and recruitment.

“As an applicant, you need to do everything you can to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate the value you can bring to an organisation during this challenging period,” said Peter.

The key to survival is to adjust to the changes although Peter explains it is inevitable that some workers will be forced to change industries altogether.

“Candidates need to be aware which companies and sectors are still recruiting, and which new roles are being created as businesses realign themselves to survive,” he says.

On the 14th of July Minister for Employment announced the Keep Australia Working Forums. These will be held in twenty priority regions including the Sunshine Coast. Priority regions have been identified as being hit hard by the economic downturn because of their demographic profile, industry composition, economic performance and location.

The forums aim to provide a chance for business professionals and employers to be heard. Ways of maximising upon opportunities for local workers and businesses will be discussed. Attendees of the meeting will be encouraged to generate ideas that will keep Australians working.

With the Sunshine Coast among the regions considered a high priority, locals may look for jobs elsewhere. In order to stop workers moving out of these heavily affected areas the Training Infrastructure Investment for Tomorrow (TIIFT) has been developed. Thirty-two TAFE institutes will share in $200 million dedicated to training infrastructure. TIIFT aims to improve upon the quality of teaching and learning in vocational education and training sectors.

The program will focus on areas experiencing employment pressure due to the global recession. The Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE has been granted $2,153,773 to refurbish existing facilities, improving the local institutes’ ability to up-skill and re-skill Australians.

According to CMG, workers who are prepared to update their skill set to better fill the needs of employers will have the most opportunity available to them. With applications for jobs doubling in the past three months business owners are looking for employees who can impact on profitability now.

“Employers are looking for applicants with the initiative to seek ways to remain competitive from a business development standpoint; the ability to be productive with limited resources; resilience and strong leadership qualities,” Peter said.

Sally Desch from HRM Contracting and Consulting says the main thing employers are seeking in job applicants is stability. HRM focuses on putting the right people in the right careers by matching job applicants with local businesses.

“It takes a lot to train new employees, business owners want someone who is going to be there for a few years after the cost of training,” said Sally.

Identify your key strengths and align these with the needs of your role. Ensure that you’re working with your colleagues to achieve the current business objectives of your organisation. By demonstrating to your current or prospective employer that you possess the skills relevant to the current market you have higher chances of job retention. If you positively influence the company’s return on investment and help the business to thrive, you will be seen as invaluable.

“Be indispensible, learn as much as you can about your industry or company, diversify your role so that you can contribute to other departments in your workplace,” advises Sally. “Show employers you possess multiple skills.”

Many businesses encourage their employees to up-skill and re-skill by paying for some of or the entire course fee. Employers realise the benefits of having staff that possess skills in numerous fields.

“I see many organisations investing in their workers to up-skill, particularly now when they may have a little more time to put towards training in preparation for when the busy time commences once again,” said Sally.

Forward thinking employers will aim to hold on to their staff during tough times. This ensures they are well equipped to respond when business picks up again. An added benefit of employers who support staff in re-skilling and up-skilling is the attitude of workers. If employees feel that the organisation believes in their abilities and is investing in their skills they generally will be better employees in return.

“It also reassures workers in unsettled times that their employers are willing to invest in them and this gives the workers a little security in uncertain times,” Sally said.

If job security is motivating you to consider up-skill or re-skilling ensure you look at your options carefully. The Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE provides a number of short courses ranging from business leadership to website building. The University of the Sunshine Coast offer, a wide range of programs and the option of part or full time study for a completely new career.

There is also the option of enrolling in a correspondence course. This allows you to learn new skills whilst continuing normal working hours. Distance education courses are highly flexible and designed to fit in with your lifestyle. The qualification you receive at the end of the course is identical to those that study on-campus. With the vast amount of courses available research is required to determine which course is best for you.

To seek advice on which skills you need to emphasise or update and what current employers are seeking its worth paying a visit to local recruitment agencies. They can advise you on what business owners are currently looking for in staff.

When considering what area to re-skill or up-skill in several factors need to be taken into account. It is wise to look at the trends of the industry, what sectors are laying off staff and what sectors have growth potential. It is important to be astute to ensure you don’t re-skill in an area where jobs are diminishing. Sally advises it is imperative to determine how long it will take you to up-skill, some courses take several years whilst others take six months.

“It may take you a couple of years to up-skill, will there be the same demands then?” asks Sally.

To avoid wasting time and money by re-skilling in the wrong area you should observe the local economic climate. Sunshine Coast industries that have dropped off recently are the building and construction sectors. As a result redundancies have been evident in these areas as well as associated fields. Not surprisingly accounting and legal firms are currently hiring as businesses in these areas are in high demand.

“Be wise about the area you are wanting to re-skill in, research the market to determine what is required now and what will be in demand in a few years,” Sally said.

Workers that possess skills in the health industry will be in demand in the future as the local healthcare sector continues to grow. The recently opened Kawana Private Hospital has job availabilities for nurses and a number of other professionals. With the future addition of the new public hospital opportunities in this industry will be plentiful. Whilst it is beneficial to re-skill in an industry that has growth potential, you should up-skill in an area you are interested in or passionate about.

If you choose to up-skill or re-skill in a subject that you are interested in you’re far more likely to succeed. Some TAFE and university courses take several years to complete, which requires a significant commitment from you. If you are genuinely motivated on the topic you’ve decided to study the likelihood of finishing the course is high.

Even though there are many benefits to re-skilling it is not advisable to give up your current job to do so. Now is a good time to be loyal to your company, by demonstrating the value you add to the business. Show your employer you can contribute to all areas of the organisation, by putting your hand up to fill new jobs created by changing market conditions. Prove your worth by being flexible to change within the workplace.

Whilst re-skilling is optional, if you don’t up-skill you could be left behind and face redundancy as other are more qualified employees to complete your job. Be better than the person next to you by possessing the skills required to carry out your job beyond the expectations of your employer.
    
In these uncertain times it’s important to remember that job opportunities do exist for workers who can help a business through downturn. Up-skilling or re-skilling is worth considering especially if you’re thinking of branching out into other industries. Learning new a skill is never negative, after all what do you have to lose?
If you’re interested in updating your skill set or just curious as to what’s available visit the Sunshine Coast TAFE website at www.sunshinecoast.tafe.qld.gov.au or the University of the Sunshine Coast at www.usc.edu.au.

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