Why Upskilling Your Software Developers Matters
In today’s software development world, helping your developers grow is no longer a nice perk but a must to stay competitive
With technology powering everything from how a business runs to the products and services it sells, companies of all shapes and sizes need IT pros with up-to-date skills if they want to compete and thrive. Yet while technology creates powerful business opportunities, it also creates skills gaps among tech workers. Upskilling can help close this gap while increasing retention and the productivity and efficiency of your software developers.
What is upskilling?
Upskilling refers to the process of helping your employees gain new skills related to their field of expertise so that they can face more and more challenges that come with technological advancements. There is also a similar term — reskilling. The difference is that when your employee reskills, they take a far more sudden turn, learning new skills so they can switch to a different job.
The emergence of cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning (and the list could go on!) has sped up the need for upskilling. Technology evolves at such a rapid pace that there’s an ongoing need for developers to add new skills and technical knowledge to their toolbox.
And this is not only limited to programming languages and frameworks — soft skills play a fundamental role as well. Together with technological advancements, indeed, the role and responsibilities of software developers have evolved significantly. It’s no longer just about writing code and software all day long. The daily challenges that developers encounter have become multidimensional, from solving complex problems to keeping up to date with new methodologies and tools to interacting with customers and team members.
Upskilling: a win-win strategy for you and your dev team
According to LinkedIn, software development is the industry with the highest turnover on the market, with an astounding rate of 13.2%. If we consider that the cost of turnover can reach up to 150% of the annual employee’s salary and that hiring skilled tech talent is easier said than done, then nurturing your developers should be your top priority.
Take note of this number: 60% of tech workers value a company that allows them to learn new skills. A culture of learning and continuous self-improvement keeps developers excited about going to work every day and shows them you care about their careers and their future. The result is improved performance, morale, and motivation.
Developer satisfaction also leads to a range of benefits for the company as a whole, the most important of which is staff retention. Showing that you value your employees doesn’t just make them happy; it also increases their loyalty to you and your company. This will allow you to avoid the continual, costly onboarding of new starters.
Also, your upskilled developers may advocate for your company, creating word-of-mouth about you. Thus, whenever a new job in your company opens, candidates will know how you value your workforce and you’ll end up being more appealing to more tech talent.
Finally, stronger skillsets will inevitably lead to more effective deliveries and happier customers and will help your company achieve its goals in the ever-changing technology world.
How can you upskill your tech team?
Now that we’ve seen the benefits of upskilling, the question is not whether to do this, but how. As with any successful process, you need to have a plan in place.
The first thing you’ll have to do is identify the current skill gaps within your tech team. Try to detect the abilities that your employees are missing or that could be improved.
Consider both the short-term and long-term impacts of the upskilling efforts. It is necessary to stay up to date with industry trends and to master new technology so the company can maintain a competitive edge. Yet you should also focus on those core skills that can increase long-term value, such as leadership, communication, problem-solving.
Once you have identified the skill gaps, you can begin to plan and select the training programs that make the most sense for your company. Options can include online courses, mentoring, upskilling programs, or employee grants to attend training and conferences.
Invest in your developers
Upskilling is a fantastic option to keep up with the high dynamics of our technology-driven world. It boosts morale and improves retention, makes your workforce feel recognized, and has a positive impact on the perception of both customers and potential hires.
If you would like to discuss upskilling in the tech industry further, or are looking to hire top tech talent for your organization, UTOPIC0DE can help. Get in touch with us today at contact@utopicode.com to discuss your company needs and discover more about our upskilling opportunities.
