Upskilling-A springboard to reach new heights
There isn’t a more relevant adage ‘Educate a woman and you educate a generation!’ that holds good when we look at the current state of women in professional spheres today.
For centuries, women have struggled to forge an identity for themselves owing to various cultural and societal traditions that have bred strong discriminatory practices. But the true spirit of womenkind is what we witnessed progressively since the turn of the 20th century. This seismic change has been possible since education has been made a basic ‘human’ right rather than being a luxury enjoyed only by men. Be it scientists, engineers, artists, poets, athletes, working mothers, and even single parents, women have smashed all apprehensions to show the world they can not only go toe-to-toe with men, but also take it many notches above.
In the last decade, women have constituted a significant number of the country’s employable talent. This has marked a period of reasonable growth for the business sector and, importantly, the current social structures. In today’s world it is imperative to enhance existing skill sets to stay relevant. Regardless of gender, upskilling can help individuals grow immensely. If history is anything to go by, financial independence is a factor that can help strengthen identity and open a plethora of opportunities. Upskilling will not only enable today’s women professionally, but it will also play a pivotal societal role wherein they set fabulous examples for the rest to see.
Difficult times have led to unprecedented measures as companies have switched from their traditional way of functioning to digitalization. The Covid-19 pandemic came down hard on the workforce world-over and many individuals were rendered unemployed. People switched to digital platforms to keep their businesses going and everyone had to adapt to the digital world to survive and stay connected. These extenuating factors led to a sharp increase in new applications, systems, and software. In the current scheme of things, as many previous job roles are being absorbed by technological advancements, people must constantly reskill to suit emerging roles.
Many online platforms have been launched to make it easy for anyone to acquire new skills from the comfort of their homes. These online portals offer various courses in digitization and other trending fields at affordable rates, making it more accessible. Upskilling and reskilling can help maximize one’s potential and help take on new tasks where the company needs support. for e.g. FutureSkills Prime offers courses in both emerging technologies and professional skills and provides interested candidates with multiple options for their skilling needs.
Upskilling is the go-to option of the modern world as we try to stay relevant in various vocational spheres. Even when viewed from the perspective of a working woman, it helps keep them relevant and on par with the elevated demands and ever-changing face of the professional industry. Additionally, it is also a fabulous way to protect their independence and thwart any social biases. Despite everything a woman can do, exceedingly, in the professional spheres, growth is something that needs to happen with the mindset of society. That is truly when new heights will be reached!
Latha Chembrakalam, Head of Technical Center India, Continental Automotive India