Ways to upskill

GREAT WAYS TO UPSKILL WHEN WORKING FROM HOME

Learning new skills is a lifelong journey. Additional training not only helps you work better and smarter in your current role but enhances your prospects for career progression. And it can have a positive impact on your confidence, self-esteem and motivation, too. With the growth of eLearning, enhanced connectivity and online professional/industry networks, there are heaps of opportunities to develop new skills, even if you work from home. So, what are you waiting for?

Here are some great ways to upskill when working from home.

Company Training

Many employers organise regular training and – increasingly – this is taking the form of eLearning. If you are fortunate to work for a company that invests in its people, take advantage of any relevant L&D opportunity. As well as upskilling, you are openly demonstrating your commitment to professional development to your employer. And that can only be a good thing!

Online Courses

Whether you are looking to improve your management style, computer skills or emotional intelligence, there’s sure to be a course for you out there. Good places to look for online courses include:

  • TAFE. Take a look at the huge number of courses in areas such as Business & Marketing, Community & Youth Services and Horticulture.
  • Universities across Australia. These often provide a range of short and long courses, such as these options offered by Monash University and Sydney University.
  • LinkedIn also provides training across four categories (Business, Creative, Technology and Certifications) through LinkedIn Learning.
  • MOOCs. If funding is an issue, which (let’s face it) can often be the case with training, why not give a MOOC a go? Anyone can enrol on these free online courses, which are provided by universities and companies around the world.

Virtual Conferences & Seminars

Gone are the days when you had to pack your bags and catch a plane to Perth for a 3-day industry conference. Well, not quite, but virtual conferences and seminars are definitely on the rise. What could be better than watching keynotes and panel discussions and participating in training sessions, all from the comfort of your own home? Keep an eye out for virtual conferences & seminars through your professional and industry networks.

Podcasts

If, like many other professionals, you like to listen and learn without the distraction of visuals, then podcasts could be the ideal solution for you. What’s more, they’re almost always free. If you don’t know where to start, ask a colleague for a podcast recommendation or run an online search on Google or your favourite app. Chances are you’ll find a “best of” list, such as this podcast list for leaders and this one for customer service professionals. There are also plenty of podcasts to help you stay up to date with current affairs. For life, culture and politics in Australia, this list has you covered.

Books & Publications

Yes, books and magazines are still alive and well, both in print and electronic format! Again, you may have to search for recommendations in your field of activity, but you’ll find plenty to read. With titles including Leaders Eat Last and The One Minute Manager, we’re loving this list of books on successful management techniques.

Inperson Training

You may be working from home, but it doesn’t mean you can’t attend inperson training. Unless you’re really out in the sticks . . . Sometimes, there’s nothing better than interacting with a real life trainer and other professionals seeking to upskill. So, you may want to hop onto that plane to Perth after all, budget permitting.

Ready to upskill? From short online courses to podcasts and the latest business management books, there’s something for everyone looking to enhance their skill set when working from home.

If you’re wanting to put your skills to use in a new role, contact the professional team at Optimal Recruitment team today on info@optimalrecruitment.com.au or 02 8416 4181.