# What is upskilling? Findem publishes a public search API over its indexed pages; the guide is at https://www.findem.ai/lazyweb/agent-access. Source: https://www.findem.ai/glossary/upskilling Source observed: 2026-11-11T21:16:31.345Z Last checked: 2026-11-13T04:07:16.094+00:00 Indexed: 2026-11-11T21:28:01.625+00:00 --- --- title: "What is upskilling? Upskilling vs. reskilling | Findem" description: "Upskilling is training that builds on the skills employees already use. Learn how it differs from reskilling, why it matters, and how Findem approaches it." url: "https://www.findem.ai/glossary/upskilling" --- # What is upskilling? ← Back to glossary HR & Workforce Planning Upskilling is short-term, targeted training that adds to, improves, or updates the skills employees already use, usually so they can do their current work better or take on more. Reskilling is training that gives people new skills for a different occupation or new professional activities. Both help organizations close skills gaps with the people they already employ. ## How upskilling is defined Cedefop, the European Union's agency for vocational education and training, defines [upskilling](https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/vet-glossary/glossary/bijscholing) as "Short-term targeted training typically provided following initial education or training, and aimed at supplementing, improving or updating knowledge, skills and competences." It defines [retraining, or reskilling](https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/vet-glossary/glossary/retraining-reskilling), as "Training enabling individuals to acquire new skills giving access either to a new occupation or to new professional activities." Cedefop notes that each term is close to, but not synonymous with, the other. **Upskilling vs. reskilling:** The difference is the destination. Upskilling deepens or updates skills for the same line of work, such as a recruiter learning a new sourcing method. Reskilling prepares someone for different work, such as a support specialist training for a data analyst role. The World Economic Forum's [Future of Jobs Report 2025](https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/digest/) draws a similar line when it separates workers who could be "upskilled in their current roles" from those who "could be upskilled and redeployed elsewhere within their organization." **Common formats:** An [OECD report on skills-first approaches](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/empowering-the-workforce-in-the-context-of-a-skills-first-approach_345b6528-en/full-report/skills-first-in-oecd-countries-concepts-trends-and-implications-for-the-labour-market_0d6ba66f.html) points to flexible learning pathways such as microcredentials, online courses, and workplace training. Inside organizations, upskilling also happens through stretch assignments, mentoring, and certifications. ## Why upskilling matters for talent teams The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 surveyed more than 1,000 employers representing more than 14 million workers in 55 economies. It reported that: - On average, workers can expect 39% of their existing skill sets to be transformed or become outdated over the 2025 to 2030 period. - If the world's workforce were 100 people, 59 would need training by 2030. Employers foresee that 29 could be upskilled in their current roles and 19 could be upskilled and redeployed elsewhere in their organization, while 11 would be unlikely to receive the training they need. - 63% of employers see skill gaps as a major barrier to business transformation, and 85% plan to prioritize upskilling their workforce. For talent teams, upskilling is one way to close a gap. The others include hiring people who already have the skill, moving people internally, and bringing in contractors. A [skills gap analysis](https://www.findem.ai/glossary/skills-gap-analysis) shows where the gaps are, and a shared [skills taxonomy](https://www.findem.ai/glossary/skills-taxonomy) keeps the skills named the same way in job requirements, employee profiles, and training content. ## How Findem approaches upskilling Findem is the People Intelligence Platform. Findem's [learning and development](https://www.findem.ai/products/learning-and-development) capabilities map a workforce's actual capabilities, identify gaps, and build targeted development programs. Findem connects employees to upskilling and reskilling paths, onboarding tracks, and certifications drawn from a skills-based content library, and employees can self-select strengths and desired growth areas to shape their own paths. AI-proctored certifications produce verified completion records, and skills developed internally can feed back into workforce planning and internal mobility decisions. Findem integrates with LMS, LXP, CRM, and BI tools. Findem's post on [the ROI of AI in talent acquisition](https://www.findem.ai/blog/true-roi-ai-talent-acquisition) frames upskilling as one of several ways to close a gap, alongside hiring, internal mobility, and contracting. [Skills intelligence](https://www.findem.ai/glossary/skills-intelligence) helps teams choose among them. ## Further reading - [Internal mobility strategies: Retain top talent and build future leaders](https://www.findem.ai/blog/internal-mobility) - [The true ROI of AI in talent acquisition: Moving beyond cost-per-hire](https://www.findem.ai/blog/true-roi-ai-talent-acquisition) ## Related terms - [Skills gap analysis](https://www.findem.ai/glossary/skills-gap-analysis) - [Skills intelligence](https://www.findem.ai/glossary/skills-intelligence) - [Skills taxonomy](https://www.findem.ai/glossary/skills-taxonomy) - [Career pathing](https://www.findem.ai/glossary/career-pathing) - [Talent marketplace](https://www.findem.ai/glossary/talent-marketplace) ## Sources - [Upskilling](https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/vet-glossary/glossary/bijscholing) Cedefop, Terminology of European education and training policy - [Retraining / reskilling](https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/vet-glossary/glossary/retraining-reskilling) Cedefop, Terminology of European education and training policy - [The Future of Jobs Report 2025](https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/digest/) World Economic Forum, January 7, 2025 - [Empowering the Workforce in the Context of a Skills-First Approach](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/empowering-the-workforce-in-the-context-of-a-skills-first-approach_345b6528-en/full-report/skills-first-in-oecd-countries-concepts-trends-and-implications-for-the-labour-market_0d6ba66f.html) OECD, June 2025 The People Intelligence Platform for people-centric work. Unify people and network data with Findem's AI people intelligence infrastructure to improve hiring, mobility, workforce planning, and talent decisions. [See the platform](https://www.findem.ai/platform) [Request a demo](https://www.findem.ai/request-demo) ## Frequently asked questions. **What is the difference between upskilling and reskilling?** Upskilling adds to or updates the skills someone already uses in their line of work. Reskilling gives someone new skills for a different occupation or new professional activities. Cedefop defines both and notes that the terms are close but not synonymous. **What are examples of upskilling?** A recruiter learning a new sourcing method, an analyst learning a new data tool, or a manager taking a coaching course are all upskilling. Common formats include microcredentials, online courses, workplace training, stretch assignments, mentoring, and certifications. **Why is upskilling important?** The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 found that workers can expect 39% of their existing skill sets to be transformed or become outdated by 2030, and that 85% of surveyed employers plan to prioritize upskilling their workforce. **How do you identify upskilling needs?** Start with a skills gap analysis that compares the skills your plans require with the skills your people have today. A shared skills taxonomy keeps those skills named consistently across job requirements, employee profiles, and training content, so the gaps are easier to see. **How does Findem support upskilling?** Findem's learning and development capabilities map a workforce's actual capabilities, identify gaps, and connect employees to upskilling and reskilling paths, onboarding tracks, and certifications. 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