Skill Training in the Digital Age: How to Develop Primary and Secondary Technical Domain Skills for the Future of Work?

Welcome to the digital age, where technological advancements rapidly change our work. The future of work is here, and it demands a new set of skills from the workforce. With automation and artificial intelligence taking over traditional jobs, developing skills in demand in today’s job market is essential.

This is where skill training comes into play. It refers to acquiring specific knowledge to perform a particular job or function. In the contemporary era, it’s not just about having a degree or certification but also about your employees possessing relevant skill sets that make you stand out in the job market.

According to a study by McKinsey Global Institute, up to 375 million workers globally will need to switch occupations by 2030. This means workforce development is crucial for employees and employers to adapt to the ever-changing job market.

In this write-up, we’ll explore the importance of skill training in the digital age and how it can help individuals and organizations develop primary and secondary technical domain skills. We will also discuss the future of work, including the skills in demand and how learning and development (L&D) can help your employees stay relevant in the job market.

Finally, we will introduce a training management system to help organizations deliver personalized and effective training content to their employees. So, whether you’re an employee looking to upskill or an employer seeking to train your workforce, keep reading to learn how skill training can help you thrive in the digital age.

What Is Skill Training and Why Is it Critical?

In the past, educational and work experiences were the basis for hiring candidates. However, the rapid development of technology has changed hiring requirements. Major tech companies like Google, Apple, and IBM no longer require college degrees to recruit. They instead look for candidates with solid technical skills and desirable soft skills like creativity, adaptability, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

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Companies need to start upskilling their staff to keep up with technological advances and transforming work processes. The workforce lacks the right skills, as evidenced by the 60% of respondents in an SHRM research who had trouble finding the right talent in the past 12 months. And this talent gap will only worsen in the future, hitting global economies hard and fast.

Manufacturing is one of the industries that the skills shortage has hit the hardest. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought technological advances like AI, cloud computing, and VR. It has created new roles that demand technical skills like data analysis, robotics, and software development.

However, hard skills change fast, so continuous employee training and development are vital to safeguarding business growth and employee stability. Soft skills are also essential in the workplace, improving job satisfaction, increasing customer loyalty, and enhancing customer experience.

Therefore, companies must invest in practical, fun, and easy-to-access online employee training tools like an LMS (Learning Management System) — to keep their employees’ skills sharp and their minds curious. Let’s now check how skill training can help develop tech skill sets in employees, including primary and secondary domain knowledge.

How Can Skill Training Help Develop Primary Technical Domain Skills?

Primary technical domain skills are the fundamental tech know-how required to perform a job or function in a specific field. These skills are often job-specific and provide the foundation for other technical and soft talents. In other words, they are the building blocks for success in any technical profession.

These skills are crucial in the future of work. As per a report by the World Economic Forum, 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, and technological skills will be among the most in demand. This means that individuals with primary technical domain skills will be quite sought after in the job market.

Examples of Primary Technical Domain Skills

Primary tech skill sets vary depending on the profession, but they may include computer programming, data analysis, web development, technical writing, and engineering. These skills are often taught through formal education, on-the-job training, corporate online learning courses, and certification programs.

Strategies for Developing Primary Technical Domain Skills

• Formal Education: This is one of the most traditional ways to develop primary technical domain skills. Completing a degree or certification program can give individuals a strong foundation in their chosen field. However, it can be time-consuming and expensive.

• On-the-job Training. It is another method as well. This approach allows individuals to gain practical experience and learn from seasoned professionals in their field. On-the-job training can be more cost-effective and relevant but less comprehensive than formal education.

• eLearning: Digital courses via an online LMS are becoming increasingly popular. These courses are often self-paced, flexible, and accessible from anywhere. Plus, industry associations and employers recognize many of them, making them valuable additions to a resume.

How Can Skill Training Help Develop Secondary Technical Domain Skills?

Secondary technical domain skills are required to perform a specific task or function within a broader technical domain. These skills are often more specialized and build upon the foundation of primary technical domain skills.

As technology advances, the demand for workers with secondary technical domain skills grows. These abilities complement primary technical domain skills and allow individuals to perform their job functions more effectively.

They are essential because they can give individuals a competitive advantage in the job market, making them more valuable to employers. Additionally, having a broad range of skills can help individuals adapt to changing work demands and stay relevant in their field.

Examples of Secondary Technical Domain Skills

Examples of secondary technical domain skills include graphic design, project management, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. These skills are often acquired through a combination of formal education and on-the-job experience.

Strategies for Developing Secondary Technical Domain Skills

• Cross-Training: Cross-training is a method of developing secondary technical domain skills that involve learning skills from different technical domains. This approach broadens an individual’s expertise and can provide new perspectives and ideas for problem-solving.

• Mentoring: Coaching is an effective strategy for developing secondary technical domain skills. These programs allow individuals to work with experienced professionals and learn from their expertise.

• Self-Directed Learning: This is a cost-effective and flexible way to develop secondary technical domain skills. Online courses, webinars, and industry events are all great resources for individuals looking to expand their knowledge and capabilities.

Digital transformation of skill training has emerged as a powerful tool, enabling learners to acquire new skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. It refers to using digital technologies to transform traditional business models, processes, and activities fundamentally.

In the context of skill training, digital transformation involves integrating technology-based tools and techniques into the learning process to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of training programs. This may include online learning platforms, virtual and augmented reality simulations, gamification, and other digital tools and technologies.

What Is the Importance of Digital Transformation in Skill Training?

Digital transformation has become increasingly crucial in skill training due to several factors. According to a report, the global e-learning market is expected to reach $325 billion in 2025, driven by a boost in the adoption of digital learning technologies.

Firstly, the rapid pace of technological change and innovation means that traditional training methods are becoming outdated and insufficient for keeping pace with the latest trends and skills.

Secondly, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for remote and online learning solutions, making digital transformation necessary for organizations and learners alike.

Thirdly, digital transformation can enhance the effectiveness of skill training by providing learners with personalized and engaging learning experiences, enabling them to acquire new skills faster and more effectively.

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The Role of Digi Technology in Skill Training

Digital technology is crucial in skill training, providing learners access to various tools and resources to support their learning and development. This may include online learning platforms that offer self-paced courses and certifications.

It also involves simulations that enable learners to practice real-world scenarios, gamification that incentivizes learning through rewards and recognition, and other digital tools and technologies that enhance the learning experience.

Benefits of Digital Transformation in Skill Training

Digital transformation offers several benefits for skill training, including:

• Increased Accessibility: Digital learning tools and technologies can be accessed from anywhere, anytime, making it easier for learners to fit training into their busy schedules.

• Personalization: Digital tools and technologies can tailor training programs to learners’ individual needs and preferences, providing a more engaging and practical learning experience.

• Cost-effectiveness: Digital training solutions can be more cost-effective than traditional training methods, particularly regarding travel and accommodation expenses.

• Scalability: Digital training programs can be easily scaled to accommodate large numbers of learners, making it a more efficient and effective way to train large groups of people.

• Enhanced Engagement: Digital tools and technologies can create more interactive and engaging learning experiences, increasing learner motivation and retention.

Skill Training Management Portal and Its Role in Digital Transformation of Tech Skills

A skill training management portal is a software platform that provides an integrated solution to manage skill training programs. It enables firms to automate and streamline their training processes, from scheduling and registration to delivery and evaluation.

In fact, they are an example of how digital transformation is changing how organizations approach skill training. By leveraging technology, organizations can automate and optimize their training processes, resulting in a more efficient and practical approach to training. Skill training management portals are just one example of how organizations can embrace digital transformation to improve business outcomes.

What Is the Purpose of a Skill Training Management Portal?

The main objective of skill training management systems is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of skill training programs. It provides a central location for managing all aspects of training, including scheduling, enrollment, content delivery, and evaluation. It helps organizations to save time and reduce costs associated with manual training processes.

Features of Skill Training Management Portal

A skill training management portal typically includes features such as:

• Course Catalog Management: Organizing and displaying course offerings.
• Online Registration and Payment Processing: Allowing users to sign up for courses and pay online.
• Automated Email Notifications and Reminders: Sending automatic reminders and notifications to users about course schedules and deadlines.
• Learning Content Management and Delivery: Creating and delivering course content in various formats.
• Reporting and analytics: Tracking and analyzing user progress and course outcomes.
• Integration With Other Systems Like HR, CMS, and LMS: Connecting the skill training management portal with other relevant systems.
• Customizable Branding and Templates: Customizing the look and feel of the portal to match the organization’s branding.
• Mobile Compatibility: Optimizing the portal for mobile devices for on-the-go learning.

Benefits of Skill Training Management Portal

There are multiple benefits to using such platforms in your L&D initiatives. Some of these upsides include:

• Streamlined Training Processes: Using technology in the skill training management portal leads to more efficient and organized training processes.
• Reduced Administrative Tasks and Costs: Automating tasks such as registration, payments, and email notifications reduces the workload and costs associated with administrative tasks.
• Increased Learner Engagement and Satisfaction: Digital transformation in skill training leads to more interactive and engaging learning experiences for the learners, increasing their satisfaction with the training.
• Improved Training Quality and Effectiveness: The use of technology allows for more personalized and adaptive learning experiences, which can lead to improved training quality and effectiveness.
• Real-time Tracking of Training Progress and Outcomes: Digital tools allow real-time tracking of learners’ progress and outcomes, enabling instructors to make timely interventions and adjustments.
• Better Alignment of Training Programs with Business Goals: Technology enables organizations to align their training programs with business goals and objectives.
• Enhanced Compliance with Regulatory Norms: Skill training management portals can include features that help organizations comply with regulatory requirements related to training and development.

An example of a skill training management portal is PlayAblo. This cloud-based platform provides a comprehensive solution for managing employee training and development. It includes customizable dashboards, self-paced learning modules, and real-time performance tracking. By using this portal, organizations can easily manage their training programs, track employee training progress, and provide a personalized learning experience to their employees.

Wrapping It Up

Digital transformation has revolutionized the field of skill training, offering numerous benefits to both organizations and learners. The use of skill training management portals and other technological tools can streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance the quality and effectiveness of tech training programs. By embracing these advancements and continuously adapting to the changing digital landscape, organizations can stay ahead of the curve and ensure their employees have the technical abilities they need to succeed in today’s ever-evolving workforce.

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