How Effective is it to Upskill Employees Through Graduate Degrees and Certificates?

Any successful business is going to understand the importance of staying effective and relevant within the industry they inhabit. While there are plenty of ways to do this through technological innovation, adoption of new programs and systems, or something as simple as team building exercises, there is another way: upskilling employees.

Being that most technology is still human dependent, and the operations side of most businesses requires a human touch. Employers that understand these facts are also likely familiar with the benefits inherent within continuously investing into those same employees. When considering that fact along with the prediction that, by 2030, nearly 75% of the workforce is going to be made up of millennials who consider upskilling an important factor in which company they may work, employers may not be able to overlook such an offering.

There are multiple reasons and ways to do this, all of which point to the betterment of the company, its product or services, and its culture. Here are some effective ways to upskill employees through graduate degrees or certificates.

Why to Invest in Upskilling Employees

Depending on the industry, the type of product or service, and the goal of each company's mission should be weighed carefully with the current accessibility and potential availability of the talents and skills necessary to accomplish those goals.

Upskilling is a consistently effective way to see a collection of benefits on each of those levels. Some of the more immediate positive effects are in employees being able to stay informed and trained on the newest technological trends, the insight needed to properly comprehend appropriate utilization of those methods and means, as well as the practice to see that those tasks are done correctly.

Additionally, choosing to invest in just one or two proven, hardworking employees with leadership potential creates a whole new element: the chance to directly or indirectly educate other employees. This means that by seeing to the educational advancement of just one person, a whole team of people could eventually become informed by their experience.

Graduate Degrees or Certificates?

Assuming that the decision has already been made that upskilling of certain employees should be done, the next step is to narrow down what type of educational path should be taken. Different industries require different skills, and becoming clear about things like where a company may be lacking.

Is it in daily effectiveness, productivity, the knowledge to meet client or board member expectations, or being able to stay ahead of the competition? With new technology, business ideologies, and global policies continuing to mold the business landscape of many industries, being able to anticipate or, at the very least, keep up with the changes in that landscape can make a big difference in the long-term success of a company.

After narrowing down what needs there are, honing in on what programs might best accommodate those goals should be the next question. Graduate degrees in finance, business, or economics, though a much broader and longer program time, can create a diverse set of skills that experienced programs have been tailored to mimic.

Certificates on the other hand are streamlined for a quick, and deep dive into a specific set of skills. Both are good choices, but the type of company, mission, and industry should inform the final choice.