Invest in Your Future: Upskilling for the AI Era
Yolande H.
I help CEOs and HR Leaders drive organizational performance through evidenced-based talent solutions | Bridging HR Theory and Practice
When was the last time you did a course? Are you willing to invest in you or is it a case that you are waiting on someone else to make the investment for you? I hate to say “the world is changing rapidly” as it sounds so ‘AI-ish’ these days. However, the sentiment is true. It is time to undertake learning to expand your existing skillset. It is time to upskill.
AI Agents: The Quiet Revolution
Two years ago, we started talking about the wonders of Generative AI (Gen AI) as ChatGPT became wildly popular. Two years later, and we are now talking about AI Agents. What exactly are AI agents? This definition sums it up nicely,
Think of an AI agent as a highly reliable assistant that can execute repetitive tasks very well. In short, they’re not replacing humans – they’re replacing manual processes that slow humans down. [1]
AI agents are trained on internal workflows, don’t need to be ‘prompted’ and execute rule-based, repetitive functions based on observed behaviour and data patterns. While the conversation about AI agents isn’t as loud, it can be described as a “quieter but arguably more impactful transformation” [1]. It reframes work as a dynamic partnership between humans and machines. The impetus is on us to see what is happening around us and choose to continue learning and growing.
Future Skills: What are Employers' Expectations
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has reported that by 2030, 39% of workers’ core skills should change, while 22% of jobs may face fundamental disruption [2]. However, 170 million new roles are projected to emerge, even as 92 million roles are displaced” [3].
The figure below highlights the skills employers consider core skills for their workforce.
The top 3 skills considered to be on the rise between 2025 and 2030 are:
1. AI and big data
2. Networks and cybersecurity
3. Technological literacy
How would you rate your skillset? Have you been upskilling? Do you have a development plan? Again, when was the last time you enrolled in any course? The full list of skills on the rise is highlighted in the figure below. Based on your current career path or interests, the list could help you to prioritise skills.
Learning Options
I have good news. Luckily, the same technology that is forcing us to take upskilling seriously has provided us with a myriad of opportunities for continuous learning and development. These include:
The world really is your oyster. You can choose an option that fits your schedule and budget, and celebrate each milestone as you “graduate” to the next level.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
How do you get started? Revisit my guide to conducting a personal SWOT analysis for your career (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-conduct-personal-swot-analysis-your-career-yolande-hylton-9zr1e ). This will help you to assess where you are so that you can be intentional about your next steps.
Preparation is the Differentiator
In conclusion, choosing to undertake learning to expand your skillset is important. The keyword is CHOOSE. I recall the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25: 1 - 13, where preparation was the differentiator between the five virgins who were able to enter the wedding feast, versus the others who were left behind due to unpreparedness. Do not be caught unprepared. Choose you and make the decision to upskill, your future self will thank you.
References
Yolande Hylton is the Managing Director of Hylton Insights, an HR Consultancy Firm that helps businesses shift from transactional to transformational HR. She is also a university lecturer and career development specialist, empowering both organisations and individuals to reach their highest potential. For inquiries or to learn more, you can reach out to yolande@hyltoninsights.com or visit www.hyltoninsights.com