Closing the Skills Gap: How to Bridge Your Business’s Talent Shortage

Closing the Skills Gap: How to Bridge Your Business’s Talent Shortage | Upskilling | Emeritus

Are you struggling to find the right people with the right skills for your business? You’re not alone. A skills gap has emerged in many industries, resulting in a global talent shortage that’s hindering the success of businesses everywhere. In fact, according to Gartner, 64% of managers think that their employees can’t keep up with the pace for future skills required. Fortunately, there are ways to bridge this gap and ensure your business finds the talent it needs to thrive. Read on for our top tips on closing the skills gap and cultivating a world-class team.

What is a Skills Gap and How to Address it?

A skills gap is the difference between employees’ actual skills and their required skills to succeed in their current roles. Disconnection between employee skill levels and job requirements can lead to lower productivity, decreased morale, and even turnover. However, organizations can address these gaps with the right strategies and ensure employees have the skills to succeed.  

Examples of Skills Gaps

1. Technical 
It occurs when there is a difference between what an employee knows and needs to know to do their job effectively. For example, a software engineer may not have experience with the latest programming language, or a salesperson may lack knowledge about Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.

2. Leadership 
This skill gap occurs when an employee lacks the knowledge and experience to successfully lead a team or manage projects. This could include leading meetings, delegating tasks, or planning strategies for success.

3. Communication
When employees don’t have effective communication skills, it can affect their ability to collaborate with coworkers and clients. This could include poor body language, difficulties understanding instructions, etc.

4. Soft 
Soft skills refer to the personal qualities that help employees work well with others and effectively engage customers or clients. Examples of soft skills can include problem-solving, critical thinking, negotiation, and time management.

5. Cultural 
This type of skills gap occurs when employees lack cultural competency or the understanding of interacting with people from different backgrounds or cultures. This could include language barriers, miscommunication due to different expectations, or a lack of understanding of cultural norms and values.

Strategies for Addressing a Skills Gap

Identifying, acknowledging, and addressing a skills gap in your business is something all business owners should take seriously. Fortunately, there are several strategies that you can use to bridge the gap and ensure that your team has the right skills for success.

1. Identifying the Skills Gap

The first step is to identify it. Organizations should regularly assess employee skill levels and compare them to what is needed for the job. Doing this will help them pinpoint the gaps and determine how best to close them.

2. Upskilling

Once the skills gap has been identified, organizations should invest in appropriate employee training and development opportunities. This could include workshops, online courses, or other forms of education that can help bridge the knowledge gap. Upskilling and expanding the employee’s repertoire of skills can be an effective tool to bridge the gap.

3. Mentoring Program

Close the skills gap by instituting a mentoring program. Get experienced and knowledgeable employees to mentor less experienced staff. Mentors can provide guidance, support, and advice to help transfer knowledge and develop skills.

4. Cross-Training

Cross-training is a great way to build employee expertise while addressing skills gaps. It involves having employees learn different roles or tasks to provide support if needed and increase the knowledge required to do their job efficiently.

5. Hiring for Skills

If the skills gap is too wide to be filled with existing staff, organizations may need to consider hiring new talent to fill in the gaps. This could involve looking for employees with specific skill sets.

6. Outsourcing Services When Necessary

Outsourcing certain services or tasks can be a cost-effective way of addressing a skills gap if an organization cannot find the talent it needs internally. This could involve contracting with companies or individuals with the expertise needed for the job.

7. Utilizing Online Learning Resources

In today’s digital world, many online learning resources are available. From e-courses to video tutorials, organizations can find various educational options to help employees close their skills gap without investing in traditional training programs.

8. Productivity Policy Changes

Implementing productivity policy changes can be a cost-effective way to close the skills gap in an organization. This could involve changing job descriptions to include more challenging tasks or introducing incentives for employees who can complete tasks quickly and efficiently.

Common Barriers to Closing a Skills Gap

While implementing the abovementioned strategies can address the skill gap problem, some hindrances could come.  

1. Time Constraints
It requires time and dedication, and some organizations may not have enough time to invest in training and development.

2. Financial Resources
Training and development can be costly, and some organizations may not have the financial means to provide employees with the necessary resources to bridge their knowledge gaps.

3. Resistance from Employees
Some employees may be resistant to change or hesitant to learn new skills, which could make it more difficult for an organization to close its skills gap.

4. Lack of Interest from the Management
If the management is not invested in closing the skills gap, it can be difficult for any organization to address it.

5. Lack of Structured Training
Without a structured plan to fill the skills gap, it can be difficult for organizations to ensure that employees receive the necessary training.

Through proper planning and execution, organizations can create an environment that encourages learning and development and help bridge existing knowledge and skill gaps. 

​The key is identifying areas where individuals or teams may lack specific skills and developing plans to offer appropriate resources for everyone to become more proficient at their job. Doing so will ensure that companies have a greater chance of eliminating skills gaps and having a more competent workforce.

Upskill with Emeritus

Closing the skills gap is essential for businesses to ensure their employees have the knowledge and capabilities to succeed. It can be accomplished by utilizing online learning resources, upskilling employees, implementing productivity policy changes, and understanding common barriers to closing a skills gap. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line programs, Emeritus offers various online certificate courses across diverse fields to help you upskill and train your teams. So take this opportunity to create a positive work environment and achieve organizational success.

About the Author


Emeritus brings you the latest learning trends, in-demand skills, and research across the most sought-after professions. Discover the benefits of lifelong learning with us.
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