As an engineering leader, you’re expected to deliver innovative solutions, keep projects on track, and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving landscape.
But with the skills gap widening and top talent becoming harder to find, how can you ensure your team is equipped to handle the challenges ahead?
The solution is strategic upskilling.
Providing opportunities for your engineers to learn new skills and expand your knowledge allows you to unlock their full potential and build a high-performing, future-proof workforce.
What Is Upskilling?
Upskilling is the process of learning new skills or improving existing ones to keep pace with changes in technology, tools, and industry standards.
Think upskilling isn’t a big deal for this evolving future of work? Well, a whopping 89% of learning and development professionals would disagree. But here’s the catch: almost a third of employees feel like they’re missing out on chances to learn and grow.
And in the field of engineering, your team can’t afford to have those sentiments. Engineering fields, such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and industrial engineering, are constantly evolving due to new technologies, updated safety regulations, and changing industry demands.
That said, here’s what upskilling for engineering teams might look like:
- Training on updated industry standards
- Learning new design or analysis tools
- Improving project management skills
- Developing expertise in emerging technologies
Your upskilling program might include technical workshops, certifications, or cross-training programs to help engineers expand their skill sets and take on more complex projects.
Benefits of Upskilling Programs for Engineering Teams
A strong engineering team thrives on continuous learning. Upskilling programs create a culture of growth, keep teams engaged, and improve overall performance.
Here’s why investing in upskilling and also reskilling can make a real difference for your team.
Increased Innovation
Engineers solve problems every day. But real innovation happens when they have the latest knowledge and tools at their disposal. Learning new skills helps engineers find better ways to design, test, and build.
They’re also better able to refine processes, adopt advanced materials, and improve sustainability. Access to regular training fuels fresh thinking and smarter solutions.
Improved Adaptability
A team that actively upskills can take on new challenges without hesitation. For example, your team might:
- Adopt new design techniques to improve efficiency and reduce costs
- Learn new materials or technologies to innovate products or systems
- Master updated safety standards to stay on top of compliance
- Integrate automation to streamline processes
Increased Employee Engagement
Did you know that upskilling can increase employee engagement, too? Engineers who see growth opportunities are more likely to stay engaged in their work. No one wants to feel stagnant. That’s why 92% of workers believe workplace training positively impacts their job engagement.
This means there’s a direct link between learning opportunities and their enthusiasm for work. So, providing the right kind of training can be a powerful way to increase job satisfaction and keep your engineering team motivated.
Enhanced Productivity
A well-trained team works more efficiently, makes fewer errors, completes tasks faster, and collaborates more effectively.
Ultimately, streamlined workflows, reduced rework, and improved project timelines all contribute to higher overall performance.
How to Implement Effective Upskilling Programs
Alright, so you’re convinced that upskilling is the way to go (high five!). But how do you actually make it happen? Here’s the breakdown:
Identify Skills Gaps
First things first, you need to figure out where your team’s strengths and weaknesses lie. So, look at the skills they’ve already mastered and where they need to improve.
A skills gap analysis is your starting point. There are a few ways to do this:
- Surveys: One of the best ways to identify skills gaps is to simply ask your engineers. Inquire about the skills they want to learn and what areas they feel need improvement. Their insights can be incredibly valuable in guiding your upskilling strategy.
- Performance reviews: Performance reviews are another goldmine of information. During these reviews, pay close attention to any recurring challenges or areas where individuals might be struggling. Are there any knowledge gaps hindering their performance? This is a great opportunity for open and honest conversations about development needs.
- Project post-mortems: After completing a project, analyze what went well and what could have been improved. Were there any skills deficiencies that hindered progress or impacted the quality of the work? These post-mortems can reveal hidden skill gaps that you might not have noticed otherwise.
- Industry trend analysis: Stay informed about the latest technologies and trends in your industry. Use these as benchmarks. And based on those, ask yourself, “Are there any emerging skills my team needs to acquire?”
Choose the Right Training Methods
Once you’ve identified the skills gaps, it’s time to choose the right training methods to bridge those gaps.
Online Courses
Online courses are an excellent option. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer a vast library of courses on virtually any engineering topic you can imagine.
Whether your team needs to brush up on their thermodynamics or delve into the world of artificial intelligence (AI), there’s an online course out there to fit the bill.
Seminars and Workshops
Maybe online courses aren’t an option. Your team might need a more interactive and hands-on approach.
Perhaps they need help learning more complex topics or developing practical skills. Workshops and seminars can provide that in-person learning experience. They offer opportunities for collaboration, networking, and direct interaction with industry experts.
Mentoring
Mentoring programs can also be valuable. Pairing experienced engineers with junior team members can create a powerful learning dynamic.
The mentor can share their knowledge, provide guidance, and offer support. And the mentee can gain valuable insights and accelerate their skill development.
On-the-Job-Training
Let’s not forget the power of learning by doing. On-the-job training allows engineers to apply their new skills in real-world scenarios under the guidance of experienced colleagues. This can be a very effective way to solidify learning and build confidence.
Provide Ongoing Support and Resources
Remember, learning never stops. The key is to foster a culture of continuous learning and provide your engineers with the support and resources they need to keep growing and developing throughout their careers.
Offer Dedicated Learning Time
A big part of ongoing support is providing dedicated learning time. Encourage your engineers to carve out time in their schedules for learning, even if it’s just an hour or two each week.
Some companies, like Google, have formalized this with initiatives like “20% time,” where employees can dedicate a portion of their work week to personal projects or learning new skills.
This fosters individual growth and can also lead to unexpected innovations and breakthroughs for the company.
Create Learning Communities
Creating learning communities can also be helpful. Whether it’s an online forum, a Slack channel, or regular lunch-and-learn sessions, these communities offer a space for engineers to connect, share knowledge, ask questions, and support each other’s learning journeys.
Provide Resources
Access to resources is also essential. Make sure your engineers have access to a wealth of information. This could be through online libraries, industry journals, research papers, or professional organizations.
Consider providing subscriptions to relevant publications or creating a curated library of resources that are easily accessible to your team.
Hold Regular One-on-Ones
Don’t forget plain old check-ins. Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with your team to discuss their progress, provide feedback, and offer support.
These check-ins can help keep them motivated, address any challenges they might be facing, and make sure they get the most out of their upskilling efforts.
Pay for Higher Education
In your training program, consider sponsoring the attainment of higher education diplomas and credentials.
A Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership is a good choice for your program, as it teaches leadership development, change management, and human resource management principles.
Professionals with this type of knowledge are well-equipped to lead and manage training initiatives within engineering teams.
Use an Onboarding LMS
An onboarding learning management system (LMS) is a digital platform that manages and streamlines the employee onboarding process through training and education.
An onboarding LMS helps engineering teams improve their skills by providing an easy-to-use platform for ongoing learning. It allows you to create custom learning paths for each engineer based on their role and skill level so everyone can learn at their own pace.
The LMS organizes training materials like courses and tutorials, helping engineers stay up-to-date. It also tracks progress so managers can spot gaps and ensure everyone is on track.
With certifications and recognition, the LMS motivates engineers to finish training and keeps the team consistent. In the end, it helps your team develop the skills they need for both current and future projects.
Empower Your Engineers, Elevate Your Business
The engineering world is changing at an unprecedented pace. To stay ahead, you need a team that’s constantly learning, growing, and evolving.
So, don’t let your engineering team fall behind in the race for knowledge and skills. Take action today and build an upskilling program that will empower them and elevate your business to new heights.
About the author: Britney Steele
Born and raised in Atlanta, Britney is a freelance writer with 5+ years of experience. She has written for a variety of industries, including marketing, technology, business, finance, healthcare, wellness, and fitness. If she’s not spending her time chasing after three little humans and two four-legged friends, you can almost always find her glued to a book or awesome TV series.
