Forbes: organizations must improve skilling.

If there’s one thing that COVID-19 didn’t change in the world of work, it’s the skills gap. In fact, the pandemic made it even worse. Many workers find themselves without the digital skills needed nowadays while companies compete for talent who can help accelerate digital transformation.

According to Randstad RiseSmart’s recent Skilling Today survey, 55% of workers said they want to learn new skills or up-level their existing abilities. Employers seem willing to oblige. Addititional research shows that companies value ongoing learning, especially for team leads, managers and high-potential individuals. So, where is the disconnect?

“Ultimately, many companies seem to struggle with either not knowing what skills their organization needs, or how to go about launching an effective program to address the skills gaps they do have,” writes Rebecca Henderson, board member and CEO of Randstad Global Businesses.

“Organizations seeking to create an effective skilling program should first conduct a skills gap analysis that can provide better insights into what skills are most in-demand and identify competencies that their organization may be lacking. Then companies can create an overall strategic skills roadmap and individualized learning plans.”

Read Henderson’s full article in Forbes for more insights on closing the gaps with skilling programs. You can also get your exclusive copy of the 2021 Talent Trends Report, “Rewrite your talent strategy playbook during extraordinary times,” to learn how skilling programs can fit into your broader workforce strategy this year.